At The Mountain-Lodge Of The Buddhist Priest Ye Waiting In Vain For My Friend Ding Poem by Meng Haoran

Now that the sun has set beyond the western range,
Valley after valley is shadowy and dim....
And now through pine-trees come the moon and the chill of evening,
And my ears feel pure with the sound of wind and water
Nearly all the woodsmen have reached home,
Birds have settled on their perches in the quiet mist....
And still - because you promised - I am waiting for you, waiting,
Playing lute under a wayside vine.