Is like a snake creeping in a field.
You have no sooner seen it
Than it has half disappeared.
It is gone and its trouble is gone with it.
It would be worse if you could catch it by its tail.
Why bother to try when it will do you no good?
The children are awake, they can’t sleep.
They sit up all night laughing and chattering.
The cocks do not cry to announce the dawn.
The watch do not beat on their drums.
Everybody stays up while die lamps burn low,
And goes out to watch the stars fade and set.
I hope next year will be better than last.
But I know it will be just the
Same old mistakes and mischances.
Maybe I will have accomplished
More next New Year’s Eve.
I should. I am still young and full of confidence.
SU TUNG P’O