XXXII

HOMECOMING—LATE AT NIGHT

Nightfall. I return from a

Journey along the Tigers’

Trail. The mountains are black.

Everybody is at home

Asleep. The Great Bear descends

To the river. Overhead

The stars are huge in the sky.

When I light the lamps at my

Door, a frightened gibbon cries

Out in the ravine. I hear

The whitehaired watchman on his

Round calling out the hour.

Stick in hand, he keeps

Guard and all is safe.

TU FU