One Thought, a Mortal Life · Stubborn and Foolish by Nature · 42 / 102
· An Instant
A soft coolness stirring—what an idle savor it has. The withered grass revives and casts off its crickets. Golden light streams through the last of the mist; we talk over tales of old gallantry. Tales of old gallantry—before the is sung through, the lies in ruins.
We ride till the red cliffs halt us, gaze to the end of sight over range on range, and grow drunk on it. Shoulder to shoulder, in the new sun. Geese fly low to take the measure of the stranger; together we watch a thousand thousand years. A thousand thousand years—cloud unfurling, cloud furling, leaving no trace.
Glosses—
Revives: to wake again, to recover;
The last of the mist: the mist that remains;
Take the measure: to look over, to judge.
*This piece is an original work. If you repost it, please credit the original author Shixi Lin; any infringement, once discovered, will be pursued for legal liability. In addition, the accompanying illustration comes from the internet and belongs to its original artist, Yichui Wuyue.