YUAN Mei: 3 Poems

　　　Impromptu (An Incidental Poem)
When a mind has a thing to rest on, it is constantly calm;
Flavors last longest if they are not sought after.
A child tries to snap the fluff of willows,
It matters nothing if he does not catch anything.

　　　　偶成
有寄心常静，无求味最长。
儿童擒柳絮，不得也何妨！

　　　　Moss
Where sunlight does not reach,
Moss chooses to settle down.
Its flowers tiny as grains of rice
Learn to bloom like peonies.

　　　　　苔
白日不到处，青春恰自来。
苔花如米小，也学牡丹开。


　　Sighted (What Enters my Eyes)
A cowherd riding a yellow cow,
The woods echo with his tunes.
Suddenly, he stands still, silent,
For he wants to catch a cicada.

　　　　所见
牧童骑黄牛，歌声振林樾。
意欲捕鸣蝉，忽然闭口立。