Winter's Tale

 The wind has changed its hue,
 winter comes, oh winter comes.
 River water spreads its chill,
 chasing sleep from Poush's sweet cakes.
  
 Dew-soaked light wets the woolen body,
 on leaves, on grass, birds dance on water's back.
 The dust-gray letter turned blue in its envelope,
 its warmth dissolved all walls of doubt.
  
 On the shiuli-shadowed path, evening blooms, it runs, ringing ankle-bells in the lane,
 smoke's brush, mist's words paint the night, winter shivers fierce at the street corner.
 In wonder and amazement, ash-colored wounds on the shore fade at night, bearing cold in this midnight,
 what excuse keeps day-birds awake? Date palm drips all night, rage of touch recedes from the palm.
  
 Ice-chips ripen at grass-tips, throwing punches—so pleased! Sleep comes in white blade's embrace, wrapped in quilts.
 Sleep stays awake from lane to lane, riding Monudas's cart, fireflies walk the night.
 Under coats, on window-glass, through grille-gaps, on book-shelves winter melts.
 In the union of tune and wine, the kite of desire dances its thread-game, bonds loosen.
 Morning must come with sun's kiss, coffee's fervor—waking the body.
 News flies piercing paper, in one leap to mind's eye.
 Ghost-courage awakens. Fountain robbery, office holiday!
 Winter city, spending hours alone.
 Time moves forward in new patterns.
 Noon chatters in sunshine.
 Seeks its measure.
 Frost-body.
  
 The stove burns on winter nights in quilt-wrapped love,
 all happiness in quilt-body. For centuries we cross
 over to Om's courtyard. Listening to falling leaves' song,
 weaving nets of warm joy, sorrow ends counting love.
 Fire tends, winter revels with the naked crowd,
 bald ascetic trees on their heads, pretense of falling asleep.
  
 North wind's tangle
 trembles and shakes, wakes and rouses, sways and rocks, forgets and makes forget.
 Life overflows, household shrinks, in sudden sun, we'll take
 the moment of losing all.
 When the moon is lost
 all movement
 all speech
 will stop
 in frost's clouds
 in silent assembly
 in love of melody
 in serpent's sleep.
 This is life!