In the middle of a little pond
Stands a pavilion of green
And white porcelain.

Like the back of a tiger
Curves the bridge of jade
Over to the pavilion.

In the little hut sit friends,
Beautifully dressed, drinking, chatting,
Some writing poetry.

Their silk sleeves slide
Backwards, their silk caps
Perch comically low on their necks.

On the small pond's still
Surface everything shows
Wonderfully in mirror-image.

Everything stands on its head
In the pavilion of green
And white porcelain.

Like a half-moon stands the bridge,
The curve inverted. Friends,
Beautifully dressed, drinking, chatting.

(After Li T'ai-po)