Han Shan tries to confine his
Lover’s absence to the bedroom
But inevitably encounters
Shi-te in the long hall that goes
Down to the kitchen or sitting on
The backstair, mending a bamboo fan,
Or re-weaving an old straw shoe.
At times, Shi-te gazes back at him
From the well when Han Shan peeps
In to see the reflected moon
Once, when Han Shan had gone,
At midnight, to attend a new calf,
He heard his old friend laughing
Merrily out behind the barn. Most
Frequently, however, after a rough night,
Han spies Shi-te in the morning,
Scattering handfuls of broomseed
Among the flock of white hens.
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