Not the moon. A flower on the other side of the water.

 

The water sweeps past in flood, dragging a whole tree by the hair,

 

a barn, a bridge. The flower sings on the far bank.

 

Not a flower, a bird calling hidden among the darkest trees, music

 

over the water, making a silence out of the brown folds of the river's cloak.

 

The moon. No, a young man walking under the trees. There are lanterns

 

among the leaves. Tender, wise, merry,

 

his face is awake with its own light, I see it across the water as if close up.

 

A jester. The music rings from his bells, gravely, a tune of sorrow,

 

I dance to it on my riverbank.