In a Winter Orchard

In the orchard white with snow

like sprinkled salt,

a plum tree raises thick black branches

in a victory sign,

outlined with flowers in full bloom,

like an Easter garland.

“Behold, whoever puts his life in me,

even though he dies, will never die;

do not be doubtful

of invisible realities.”

Playfully, a single magpie

hops from branch to branch.

Beside a hole gaping

like a cavity in a lung,

stiff as a corpse

an apple tree lies, a full arm's girth.

A man comes by, dark as shade,

with a frame bound upon his back;

he lops the dead branches with an axe,

splits the trunk, and bears it all away.

“Behold, a figure of the dead

who will tomorrow be cast

into perdition's flames;

beware, then, lest the roots of your existence

become infected!”

A crow flies cawing

across the frozen sky.

~Ku Sang (English translation by Brother Anthony)