After midnight, eluding tigers on the road, I return
home below dark mountains. My family asleep inside,

the Northern Dipper drifts nearby, sinking low
on the river. Venus blazes–huge in empty space.

Holding a candle in the courtyard, I call for two
torches. A gibbon in the gorge, startled, shrieks once.

Old and tired, my hair white, I dance and sing out.
Goosefoot cane, no sleep. . . .Catch me if you can!

translated by David Hinton