Autumn Night

The dew falls, the sky is a long way up, the brimming waters are quiet.
On the empty mountain in a companionless night doubtless the
                       wandering spirits are stirring.
Alone in the distance the ship's lantern lights up one motionless sail.
The new moon is moored to the sky, the sound of the beetles comes to
                      an end.
The chrysanthemums are flowered, men are lulling their sorrows
                     to sleep.
Step by step along the veranda, propped on my stick, I keep my eyes on
                     the Great Bear.
In the distance the celestial river leads to the town.

 --Tu Fu
 (717-770 A.D.)
 translated by W.S.Merwin