FULL MOON Poem by Wang Xiaoni

the full moon rises
high about my pillow
that anxious moon

a sleepless guitarist
steps out dishevelled rhythms
along moonlit streets
the heart jolting at will
then: immense calm

many silver practised circlings
although
no one is willing to touch those footprints
only what is past
is clear

so limpid,
absolutely limpid
I walk towards white night
holding myself together

those with a conscience
have no fear of frankness
the talented are terrified by concealment
that which has life
is destined to attract calamity

because
of the full moon, beautiful
through long darkness and deficiency
we rise brilliantly
we fall even more brilliantly from the sky
everything: immense calm

1985