Night Swim, A Song

Midnight,

swimming in the Jing-Mi canal,

the only time you don’t need trunks.

Incomparable! Paddling in silent thought,

or tired, floating on my back.

Night sky, bright stars.

The only thing I know about astronomy

is the Big Dipper

in the void, scooping emptiness.

I make wild guesses

which is Sagittarius,

which Libra,

there the graceful swan,

the mighty lion.

Something lightly taps my leg—

I put my head in the water, looking for a fish.

How marvelous

to be emperor

of water and sky!

At once some lines leap out—

deep night, nude swim,

if only the soul could slip free

like starlight,

swan on the water,

sphinx in the sky.