Trees playing dress up

Song of the Willow by Tang dynasty poet He Zizhang, 677-744 

A tall tree all dressed up in jade green.
Ten-thousand strands flowing down like bright-green silk streams.
We don't know: who cut these leaves so thin?
Like scissors, the February spring breeze.

Poet He attained Jingsi level of scholars. He was Secretary of something and was good at writing poetry, calligraphy, and comedian. Popular and admired among the scholars. He was a famous drinking. When he retired, Emperor Tang Ming Huang sent him a poem. And the prince bid him farewell. 


Daban Crane Tavern

No. 1

Pan pines stand throughout old Crane Tavern.
Why, like swallows, are you so busy renovating?*
Because we have new guests coming for far off countries,
Now this cold yard will become a bustling place.

*Pan as in bonsai
*This old tavern, now the Japanese government have turned into a tourist spot for entertaining foreigners.