Uneasy Night

(After Li Po)

I’m weary of looking at snow,

of looking at dead trees,

and walking on dead leaves.

My friends have left me.

My wife is dead.

I’m weary of being alone.

Crows sit in the branches

like hungry soldiers,

thinking of my meaty bones.

For now, they’ll go unfed.

I know self pity

is a shameful thing,

but my heart feels like lead.

I watch the sun set.

Night covers me like a cocoon.

I turn away from it.

My shoes stay under my bed.