Meng Haoran

There’s an old magnolia tree outside my bedroom window. Throughout the seasons I watch its transformation from Fall buds to full Spring blossom.

The flowers bloom only a short while before showering their petals to the ground. It is consistent in its beauty.

Here’s a short haiku by Meng Haoran (691–740), major Chinese Tang dynasty poet.

Spring Morning

This spring morning in bed
I'm lying,
Not to awake till the birds
are crying. After one night of wind
and showers,

How many are the fallen
flowers?

-- Meng Haoran