We Two in a Park at Night

We have walked over the high grass under the wet trees

To the gravel path beside the lake, we two.

A noise of light-stepping shadows follows now

From the dark green mist in which we waded.

Six geese drop one by one into the shivering lake;

They say “Peeng” and then after a long time, “Peeng,”

Swimming out softly to the moon.

Three of the balancing dancing geese are dim and black,

And three are white and clear because of the moon;

In what explanatory dawn will our souls

Be seen to be the same?

From the Chinese of J. Wing (nineteenth century).