everywhere, orchids

 

I think there’s a trickster
who wanders the mountains,
with a belt made of ivy
and a cloak of wisteria,
lips always smiling,
noble to look at,
he drives yellow leopards,
his friends include tigers,
he stands in a chariot
bannered with cassia,
everywhere, orchids
all over, azaleas.

Exhaling the perfume,
the flower feast, he leaves
in the heart a dream-blossom,
memory-haunting.

 

from Qu Yuan (340-278 BC)