i see you standing there, slender
as a bamboo spray, too transparent
for wind and rain..  everyone else
has gone home, dreading the dark
and cold. but you stay, standing alone
watching the winds turn the hills blue.
winds--they never blow too long.

winds fall, all haze vanishes,
leaving only the earth's beauty
and the clear sky,
and you, standing there,
your face just as it was before:
showing no fear, no grief, no joy,
but only a hint of sadness that summer is at hand.

the clouds dissolve, clear light filtered
through the stars
drips on your hair , drips on your tinge of sadness
winter and spring are both gone
brazen birdsongs flaunt the day
sunlight sparkles on the jeweled web of morning

and still, i see you standing there,
too transparent
for wind and rain.

night fades like an old bruise