The Sunrise,
Piercing through clouds of blue-gray;
Morning comes.

Warm water,
Rises from the depths to greet the day,
Steaming pool.

Darkness goes,
Hiding behind rocks and trees;
Bits of night.

Flowers bloom,
Scenting the chill morning breeze;
Barely stirs.

No rush to get the water,
There’s no well,
No rush of mistress order,
She walks unhurried along;
There’s no well,
But still she hums a soft song,
As early birds melody
Greet the day,
And she gets water for tea.
There is no sunrise racing,
Not this day,
They’ll be no cook’s stern pacing
Waiting for her quick return,
Only Li,
Still sleeping as daylight burns,
Giving no words of order
Only Li,
No care about slow water.

Steaming pool,
Down the stone steps worn so smooth,
By the rains.

Grasses green,
Barefoot walks upon does sooth
Calm spirit.

Cool flowing,
The higher pool mixing falls,
Raining sounds.

Gray rabbit
Nibbles leaves from the stone walls,
Climbing vines.

Berry bush,
With leaves that sweeten the tea,
Gently picked.

Stopping then,
She picks a flower for Li,
And returns.