A Drizzle on the Day of Brightness

A Drizzle on the Day OF Brightness

　　　　

　　　　I was in the middle of a Chinese boxing session inYuyuantan Park Beijing, on the early morning of 23 February 2002,( Chinese lunar calendar )when it started to drizzle. A wet thin veil of mist which spread over the landscape reminded me that the Qingming Jie (lit. Day of Brightness) had already come.

　　　　Thus, what was intended to be an hour of intense physical exercise turned into a short period of poetic musing. The following verse documents the sentiments and moods that were aroused in me.

　　　　

　　　　Above a still water pond a cloud brings the sky low,

　　　　Few sightseers seen but sparrows cry, n’ crows crow.

　　　　The drizzling saddens snow-white cherries to drop,

　　　　And emerald willows shed their tears in a deep dole.