The orchard

Hu Xian (translated by Ouyang Yu)

Happiness came with such a vengeance ... 

In the darkness, an apple 

Had left its branch 

‘Last night, whose heart thumped violently?’

Someone fainted in the thunderous rain

A fine shadow 

Swept the land before it died

– the orchard in the summer, shining light spots 

Were following me all the time

Under a tree, I listened, my ears pricked

Within the clean flesh of the fruit, a creek rushed scouring 

I sensed that happiness was slow

And that it required me to lighten my steps

Branches extending themselves, the green waves of the orchard were quietly rolling

It was not till then that the old orchard peasant told me 

That he sometimes would dream of his own death, like an apple falling