Green Spring

"The spring day is clad in brightest green.
The morning sun
Floods the hills in golden glory.
From early morn till dusk
The garden is filled with nodding flowers
Of every shade and hue.
We walk to and fro,
And laugh and sing,
And discuss philosophy,
Or gaze afar and drink our fill of nature's beauty.

Suddenly comes a knock at the garden gate.
Hasten!
The guest of honor has arrived!
With grave and old-fashioned ceremony
We greet him,
Raising high
The three ritual cups of wine."

POET: CHANG SHOU
Sung Dynasty
960-1278 A.D.

(From Poems of The Hundred Names, opened randomly...)