FROM THE RECORDS ACCORDING TO HOKUSAI Poem by Esther Kinsky

Shortly before break
of day the servants gathered
and took up the sedan-chairs.
on the horizon
the first pale wedge between
heaven and earth from where
the morning came creeping.
the dogs are said
to have been barking on the outskirts
of the village cats sat in the grass
in the thin blades of this countryside
small birds whose pale yellow
did not stand out in the half-light
drew signs in farewell.
the servants set off soon
their feet fairly flew the sedan-chairs
weighed little more than the sleep
of their masters inside.
the plain lay spread out in uncertain
light and shadow
like painted-on lakes in so-called
prussian blue.
all gradients behind them the carrying
suited the servants
was easy money and a rumour
arose: there at the edge
of the plain beyond the blue
shallows where the night
opened its mouth to let in the day
another land began
a new one.