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how can we keep the poor warm?
one snug alone's no good
a ten thousand foot big rug
would keep the whole city cozy
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I hew a bookbox
fine of hard cypress
whose works shall it hold
but those of PO
all my life I've written books
in youth and even now
all told seventy tomes
about three thousand pieces
I know they'll be dispersed
I fear they'll be discarded
I turn the key myself
put it before the bookdrapes
abandoning a child
who rescues an orphan?
my daughters
shall share them
my grandchildren inherit them
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she still wears her pigtails
half thirty years old
a fine lady you are
to be my hill-and-stream companion
we frolic in the springs
scramble up the fine trees
she reddens at her dancing
saddens at her song's end
don't sing the willow song
no heart's here to break
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a gift from Annam
red cockatoo
shade of peach blossom
talking like a human
as it ever is
with wit and eloquence
they made a cage
and kept it
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once one dreamed of heaven
went soaring there in space
on a crane's white back
led by two red banners
flapping wings and flapping coattails
jade bells jangling suddenly together
halfway there he looked back
upon this dark tumultuous world
no longer saw his town
nothing but mountains and water
Eastern Sea a pale strip
China Hills dots of green
a fairy throng swept past
to the Jade City palace
who knew that the Immortals
pay homage like earthly courtiers?
meets the Great Jade Emperor
he bows and pays respect
the Emperor says You're talented
take good care of yourself
we come in fifteen years
to make you an Immortal
he bowed twice receiving this
and awoke feeling quite ecstatic
he kept this to himself
but vowed a hermit's life
cut off kith and kin
ate the plainest of foods
for breakfast only coral dust
for dinner only dewy mist
in the mountains thirty years
waiting for the heavenly coach
the time was long past
but nor wings nor coachbells
his teeth and hair fell
his ears and eyes weakened
one morning he changed altogether
and was one with dust
be there gods and fairies
their ways aren't our ways
unless you bear the marks
and your name is written
you but fast in vain
what is metaphysics to you
what are all your labors?
do not shorten your life
he who dreamed of fairies
ruined his life with dreaming
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