these tired feet
in these thirsty boots
needing a rest
with you
to share a laugh
as the sun goes down
and later to catch
the morning in your eyes
living the moment
in the here
in the now
before rising again
tipping my hat
and going gone
living in the present
here is now
you say
I’ll wait for you
but sadly I know
daysweeksmonthsyears
melt into one
no one waits long
for one who doesn’t come
for here is now
and now I am
The Ninth by Wei Ying-wu
Suddenly I’m governing Wu Prefecture
and suddenly chrysanthemums are blooming
as I start to think of my garden back home
happily a group of guests arrives
translated by Red Pine
the cat at home
the cat wanders
from room to room
intrigued
by the many windows
all with screens
that he now
stares pensively out
he has readily adjusted
to his new home
completely forgetting
the past
as only cats can
Leonard Durso 