I see you better now, shaded in deeper blue. 

Hardly needing to carry the find-your-way lamp 

down to the river. 

Tonight flies a better moon. 



Sad water buffalo lie fast near the shallows; 

a splash revealing the fly-catching fishes. 

Dark Gods silently watching. 

Tonight flies a better moon. 



I guess you've known lovers here, compliant in passion; 

softly laid in the old reed bed, harshly 

lit in the noon sun. 

Tonight flies a better moon. 



Now cloaked in this milky light, new as the virgin dawn, 

shrouded sweetly in all kinds of mystery, 

you turn, smile and then are gone. 

Tonight flies a better moon.