Of youth

In the middle of the small pond

stands a pavilion of green

and white porcelain.

Like the back of a tiger

the jade bridge arches

across toward the pavilion.

In the small house sit friends,

finely dressed; they drink, chat,

and some write down verses.

Their silk sleeves slide back,

their silk caps

perch jauntily far back on their necks.

On the small pond's still

surface, all things appear

strangely mirrored.

Everything is standing on its head

in the pavilion of green

and white porcelain.

The bridge looks like a half-moon,

its arch inverted. Friends,

finely dressed, are drinking and chatting.