ON A BOAT

1

A three-plank boat, its sail made of ragged bamboo mats,

a fishing lantern anchored overnight at heaven’s gate:

forty-eight thousand acres of misty lakewater, where

the Maker-of-Things hurries jonquil flocks into bloom.

2

Scents of mountain vegetables and tender herbs everywhere,

the view’s regal down to sheep coddled for the emperor’s table.

I trust my thoughts to that voice of the ancient Liu Wen-shu:

it’s soy gruel that’s always been the most enduring of flavors.