The state goes to ruin
mountains and rivers survive
—Du Fu, “Spring Scene”
The snow is melting
I have many tasks
Work, and spring cleaning
I must stock the pantry
Many preparations
for a season of long journeys
First I visit Du Fu
fellow traveller collecting dust
In hard times
we relish our old friends
Reflect on impermanence
and the caprice of history
Outside my window
there will soon be lilies
The slow God of change
walks through the land
Blooming is never easy
and no season lasts
I look just like a man
but have accomplished nothing
I close my book
and return to the cooking
To the world
of time and worry
My ever-harried brother
I trust you understand
You know the dangers
of obeying only poetry.