Snow

Northcountryscene:

Ahundredleagueslockedinice,

Athousandleaguesofwhirlingsnow.

BothsideoftheGreatWall

Onesinglewhiteimmensity.

TheYellowRiver'sswiftcurrent

Isstilledfromendtoend.

Themountainsdancesilversnakes

Andthehighlandschargelikewax-huedelephants.

Vyingwithheaveninstature.

Onafineday,theland,

Cladinwhite,adornedinred,

Crowsmoreenchanting.

Thislandsorichinbeauty

Hasmadecountlessheroesbowinhomage.

Butalas!QinShihuangandHanWudi

Werelackinginliterarygrace,

AndTangTaizongandSongTaizu

Hadlittlepoetryintheirsouls;

ThatproudsonofHeaven,

GenghisKhan,

Knewonlyshootingeagles,bowoutstretched.

Allarepastandgone!

Fortrulygreatmen

Looktothisagealone.