you are an ancient chinese poet in exile

It rained last night. Lying in your bed in a restless, drunken haze, you listened to raindrops sliding off the eaves, then dreamed uncomfortably of faces veiled behind fans and the clatter of beads in an open hall. The floorboards outside are still damp. A thicket of [[bamboo]] shoots murmur in the wind, delicate green leaves glistening in the early rays of dawn. In the distance, the [[mountains]] are impassive as ever, their mysterious silence further obscured by white fog.

You sip tea as you watch the gently curving stems, wondering what shape a snapped stem will take as it grows back. You sit there until the sun rises to the sky's peak, illuminating all corners of the earth. You decide to take a stroll to clear your mind, towards the [[river -> river 1]]. In the distance, you think you hear a melancholy tune from a faraway [[zither -> zither 1]].

Idly, you grind ink and prepare a scroll to try and capture the beauty of the mountains, another feeble attempt to occupy yourself. Rendered on paper, the majestic sight is flat, uninspiring. You decide to take a stroll to clear your mind, towards the [[river -> river 2]]. In the distance, you think you hear a melancholy tune from a faraway [[zither -> zither 2]].

The river gurgles in the sunlight. It feels like it's mocking you, sweeping away all things in its path. Carried away by the current, just as you were by forces beyond your control. Allies useless in the face of a roaring tide. The solitary cries of a [[wild goose -> goose 1]] echo your mood. Out here, so far away from court, there is no one to hear your thoughts but the lonely birds. You recall the smirking faces of the [[officials -> officials 1]] responsible for your exile, and bow your head at the thought of the emperor mistaking the snake in his hand for a flower.

The music is imagined, but you close your eyes to savour it, remembering fond nights of drink and dance, of touching the soft inner flesh of a person's arm. The solitary cries of a [[wild goose -> goose 2]] echo your mood. Out here, so far away from court, there is no one to hear your thoughts but the lonely birds. You recall the smirking faces of the [[officials -> officials 2]] responsible for your exile, and bow your head at the thought of the emperor mistaking the snake in his hand for a flower.

The river gurgles in the sunlight. It feels like it's mocking you, sweeping away all things in its path. Carried away by the current, just as you were by forces beyond your control. Allies useless in the face of a roaring tide. The solitary cries of a [[wild goose -> goose 3]] echo your mood. Out here, so far away from court, there is no one to hear your thoughts but the lonely birds. You recall the smirking faces of the [[officials -> officials 3]] responsible for your exile, and bow your head at the thought of the emperor mistaking the snake in his hand for a flower.

The music is imagined, but you close your eyes to savour it, remembering fond nights of drink and dance, of touching the soft inner flesh of a person's arm. The solitary cries of a [[wild goose -> goose 4]] echo your mood. Out here, so far away from court, there is no one to hear your thoughts but the lonely birds. You recall the smirking faces of the [[officials -> officials 4]] responsible for your exile, and bow your head at the thought of the emperor mistaking the snake in his hand for a flower.

You call for candles as you sit at your evening meal, trying to keep the creeping darkness and feelings of regret at bay. Hands shaking, you pour cup after cup of [[wine -> wine 1]], drinking to forget. A crescent [[moon -> moon 1]] hangs in the sky tonight, an eyelid turned downwards to hide its brimming tears.

You spend the rest of the day reading and drinking, scoffing at the words of your enemies and savouring the words of friends. Hands shaking, you pour cup after cup of [[wine -> wine 2]], drinking to forget. A crescent [[moon -> moon 2]] hangs in the sky tonight, an eyelid turned downwards to hide its brimming tears.

You call for candles as you sit at your evening meal, trying to keep the creeping darkness and feelings of regret at bay. Hands shaking, you pour cup after cup of [[wine -> wine 3]], drinking to forget. A crescent [[moon -> moon 3]] hangs in the sky tonight, an eyelid turned downwards to hide its brimming tears.

You spend the rest of the day reading and drinking, scoffing at the words of your enemies and savouring the words of friends. Hands shaking, you pour cup after cup of [[wine -> wine 4]], drinking to forget. A crescent [[moon -> moon 4]] hangs in the sky tonight, an eyelid turned downwards to hide its brimming tears.

You call for candles as you sit at your evening meal, trying to keep the creeping darkness and feelings of regret at bay. Hands shaking, you pour cup after cup of [[wine -> wine 5]], drinking to forget. A crescent [[moon -> moon 5]] hangs in the sky tonight, an eyelid turned downwards to hide its brimming tears.

You spend the rest of the day reading and drinking, scoffing at the words of your enemies and savouring the words of friends. Hands shaking, you pour cup after cup of [[wine -> wine 6]], drinking to forget. A crescent [[moon -> moon 6]] hangs in the sky tonight, an eyelid turned downwards to hide its brimming tears.

You call for candles as you sit at your evening meal, trying to keep the creeping darkness and feelings of regret at bay. Hands shaking, you pour cup after cup of [[wine -> wine 7]], drinking to forget. A crescent [[moon -> moon 7]] hangs in the sky tonight, an eyelid turned downwards to hide its brimming tears.

You spend the rest of the day reading and drinking, scoffing at the words of your enemies and savouring the words of friends. Hands shaking, you pour cup after cup of [[wine -> wine 8]], drinking to forget. A crescent [[moon -> moon 8]] hangs in the sky tonight, an eyelid turned downwards to hide its brimming tears.

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //I wake from restless slumber to see the morning dew on bamboo shoots, 朝光断寐仍未眠，只见晨露饰青竹// (click: ?page)[== //Autumn shadows reflected in the river, rushing water sending friends far away, 秋分长影映江流，逝川不绝驱人离// (click: ?page)[== //While the lonely goose’s cries can be heard across the lake. 孤鹅轻浮湖泊上，隔水其歌照入耳// (click: ?page)[== //Will spring return? I lament to the moon. There is no answer. 苦求婵娟归春时，唯有寂静使人疑// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //I wake from restless slumber to see the morning dew on bamboo shoots, 朝光断寐仍未眠，只见晨露饰青竹// (click: ?page)[== //Autumn shadows reflected in the river, rushing water sending friends far away, 秋分长影映江流，逝川不绝驱人离// (click: ?page)[== //Stained by the black ink of unrighteous men in the palace’s shadows. 天阙黯影魑魅居，挥墨拟词造不义// (click: ?page)[== //I raise a cup of wine to ghosts, the rain diluting my sorrow. 斟酒满尊祭鬼魂，烟雨缓缓去悲愁// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //I wake from restless slumber to see the morning dew on bamboo shoots, 朝光断寐仍未眠，只见晨露饰青竹// (click: ?page)[== //Autumn shadows reflected in the river, rushing water sending friends far away, 秋分长影映江流，逝川不绝驱人离// (click: ?page)[== //Stained by the black ink of unrighteous men in the palace’s shadows. 天阙黯影魑魅居，挥墨拟词造不义// (click: ?page)[== //Will spring return? I lament to the moon. There is no answer. 苦求婵娟归春时，唯有寂静使人疑// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //I wake from restless slumber to see the morning dew on bamboo shoots, 朝光断寐仍未眠，只见晨露饰青竹// (click: ?page)[== //Music from a distant zither, plucking at the memories of old friends, 幽幽远处闻琴曲，冥冥忆中故人现// (click: ?page)[== //While the lonely goose’s cries can be heard across the lake. 孤鹅轻浮湖泊上，隔水其歌照入耳// (click: ?page)[== //I raise a cup of wine to ghosts, the rain diluting my sorrow. 斟酒满尊祭鬼魂，烟雨缓缓去悲愁// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //I wake from restless slumber to see the morning dew on bamboo shoots, 朝光断寐仍未眠，只见晨露饰青竹// (click: ?page)[== //Music from a distant zither, plucking at the memories of old friends, 幽幽远处闻琴曲，冥冥忆中故人现// (click: ?page)[== //While the lonely goose’s cries can be heard across the lake. 孤鹅轻浮湖泊上，隔水其歌照入耳// (click: ?page)[== //Will spring return? I lament to the moon. There is no answer. 苦求婵娟归春时，唯有寂静使人// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //Mist covers mountains in the early dawn, like the clouds resting heavily in my heart, 旦有薄雾罩群山，犹如浮云沉我心// (click: ?page)[== //Autumn shadows reflected in the river, rushing water sending friends far away, 秋分长影映江流，逝川不绝驱人离// (click: ?page)[== //While the lonely goose’s cries can be heard across the lake. 孤鹅轻浮湖泊上，隔水其歌照入耳// (click: ?page)[== //I raise a cup of wine to ghosts, the rain diluting my sorrow. 斟酒满尊祭鬼魂，烟雨缓缓去悲愁// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //Mist covers mountains in the early dawn, like the clouds resting heavily in my heart, 旦有薄雾罩群山，犹如浮云沉我心// (click: ?page)[== //Autumn shadows reflected in the river, rushing water sending friends far away, 秋分长影映江流，逝川不绝驱人离// (click: ?page)[== //While the lonely goose’s cries can be heard across the lake. 孤鹅轻浮湖泊上，隔水其歌照入耳// (click: ?page)[== //Will spring return? I lament to the moon. There is no answer. 苦求婵娟归春时，唯有寂静使人疑// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //Mist covers mountains in the early dawn, like the clouds resting heavily in my heart, 旦有薄雾罩群山，犹如浮云沉我心// (click: ?page)[== //Music from a distant zither, plucking at the memories of old friends, 幽幽远处闻琴曲，冥冥忆中故人现// (click: ?page)[== //While the lonely goose’s cries can be heard across the lake. 孤鹅轻浮湖泊上，隔水其歌照入耳// (click: ?page)[== //I raise a cup of wine to ghosts, the rain diluting my sorrow. 斟酒满尊祭鬼魂，烟雨缓缓去悲愁// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //Mist covers mountains in the early dawn, like the clouds resting heavily in my heart, 旦有薄雾罩群山，犹如浮云沉我心// (click: ?page)[== //Music from a distant zither, plucking at the memories of old friends, 幽幽远处闻琴曲，冥冥忆中故人现// (click: ?page)[== //While the lonely goose’s cries can be heard across the lake. 孤鹅轻浮湖泊上，隔水其歌照入耳// (click: ?page)[== //Will spring return? I lament to the moon. There is no answer. 苦求婵娟归春时，唯有寂静使人疑// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //I wake from restless slumber to see the morning dew on bamboo shoots, 朝光断寐仍未眠，只见晨露饰青竹// (click: ?page)[== //Music from a distant zither, plucking at the memories of old friends, 幽幽远处闻琴曲，冥冥忆中故人现// (click: ?page)[== //Stained by the black ink of unrighteous men in the palace’s shadows. 天阙黯影魑魅居，挥墨拟词造不义// (click: ?page)[== //I raise a cup of wine to ghosts, the rain diluting my sorrow. 斟酒满尊祭鬼魂，烟雨缓缓去悲愁// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //I wake from restless slumber to see the morning dew on bamboo shoots, 朝光断寐仍未眠，只见晨露饰青竹// (click: ?page)[== //Music from a distant zither, plucking at the memories of old friends, 幽幽远处闻琴曲，冥冥忆中故人现// (click: ?page)[== //Stained by the black ink of unrighteous men in the palace’s shadows. 天阙黯影魑魅居，挥墨拟词造不义// (click: ?page)[== //Will spring return? I lament to the moon. There is no answer. 苦求婵娟归春时，唯有寂静使人疑// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //Mist covers mountains in the early dawn, like the clouds resting heavily in my heart, 旦有薄雾罩群山，犹如浮云沉我心// (click: ?page)[== //Autumn shadows reflected in the river, rushing water sending friends far away, 秋分长影映江流，逝川不绝驱人离// (click: ?page)[== //Stained by the black ink of unrighteous men in the palace’s shadows. 天阙黯影魑魅居，挥墨拟词造不义// (click: ?page)[== //I raise a cup of wine to ghosts, the rain diluting my sorrow. 斟酒满尊祭鬼魂，烟雨缓缓去悲愁// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //Mist covers mountains in the early dawn, like the clouds resting heavily in my heart, 旦有薄雾罩群山，犹如浮云沉我心// (click: ?page)[== //Autumn shadows reflected in the river, rushing water sending friends far away, 秋分长影映江流，逝川不绝驱人离// (click: ?page)[== //Stained by the black ink of unrighteous men in the palace’s shadows. 天阙黯影魑魅居，挥墨拟词造不义// (click: ?page)[== //Will spring return? I lament to the moon. There is no answer. 苦求婵娟归春时，唯有寂静使人疑// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //Mist covers mountains in the early dawn, like the clouds resting heavily in my heart, 旦有薄雾罩群山，犹如浮云沉我心// (click: ?page)[== //Music from a distant zither, plucking at the memories of old friends, 幽幽远处闻琴曲，冥冥忆中故人现// (click: ?page)[== //Stained by the black ink of unrighteous men in the palace’s shadows. 天阙黯影魑魅居，挥墨拟词造不义// (click: ?page)[== //I raise a cup of wine to ghosts, the rain diluting my sorrow. 斟酒满尊祭鬼魂，烟雨缓缓去悲愁// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //Mist covers mountains in the early dawn, like the clouds resting heavily in my heart, 旦有薄雾罩群山，犹如浮云沉我心// (click: ?page)[== //Music from a distant zither, plucking at the memories of old friends, 幽幽远处闻琴曲，冥冥忆中故人现// (click: ?page)[== //Stained by the black ink of unrighteous men in the palace’s shadows. 天阙黯影魑魅居，挥墨拟词造不义// (click: ?page)[== //Will spring return? I lament to the moon. There is no answer. 苦求婵娟归春时，唯有寂静使人疑// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

Taking up your brush and ink, you scribble down a poem. (click: ?page)[== //I wake from restless slumber to see the morning dew on bamboo shoots, 朝光断寐仍未眠，只见晨露饰青竹// (click: ?page)[== //Autumn shadows reflected in the river, rushing water sending friends far away, 秋分长影映江流，逝川不绝驱人离// (click: ?page)[== //While the lonely goose’s cries can be heard across the lake. 孤鹅轻浮湖泊上，隔水其歌照入耳// (click: ?page)[== //I raise a cup of wine to ghosts, the rain diluting my sorrow. 斟酒满尊祭鬼魂，烟雨缓缓去悲愁// (click: ?page)[== [[*]]

[[End ->Beginning]]