THE ROSE OF TIME
when the watchman falls asleep
you turn back with the storm
to grow old embracing is
the rose of time
when bird roads define the sky
you look behind at the sunset
to emerge in disappearance is
the rose of time
when the knife is bent in water
you cross the bridge stepping on flute-songs
to cry in the conspiracy is
the rose of time
when a pen draws the horizon
you're awakened by a gong from the East
to bloom in the echoes is
the rose of time
in the mirror there is always this moment
this moment leads to the door of rebirth
the door opens to the sea
the rose of time
THE ROSE OF TIME
New Directions, 2010
edited by Eliot Weinberger
translators include Weinberger, David Hinton & others
