em away I cannot。 I call them and I say; “e to my garden to gather flowers。 e hither。”
In the mid…day the gong sounds at the palace gate。
I know not why they leave their work and linger near my hedge。
The flowers in their hair are pale and faded; the notes are languid in their flutes。
Turn them away I cannot。 I call them and say;“The shade is cool under my trees。 e; friends。”
At night the crickets chirp in the woods。
Who is it that es slowly to my door and gently knocks?
I vaguely see the face; not a word is spoken; the stillness of the sky is all around。
Turn away my silent guest I cannot。 I look at the face through the dark; and hours of dreams pass by。
The Gardener 5
I am restless。 I am athirst for far…away things。
My soul goes out in a longing to touch the skirt of the dim distance。
O Great Beyond; O the keen call of thy flute!
I forget; I ever forget; that I have no wings to fly; that I am bound in this spot evermore。
I am eager and wakeful; I am a stranger in a strange land。
Thy breath es to me whispering an impossible hope。
Thy tongue is known to my heart as its very own。
O Far…to…seek; O the keen call of thy flute!
I forget; I ever forget; that I know not the way; that I have not the winged horse。
I am listless; I am a wanderer in my heart。
In the sunny haze of the languid hours; what vast vision of thine takes shape in the blue of the sky!
O Farthest end; O the keen call of thy flute!
I forget; I ever forget; that the gates are shut everywhere in the house where I dwell alone!
The Gardener 6
The tame bird was in a cage; the free bird was in the forest。
They met when the time came; it was