ORCHID AND ORANGE II

    Zhang Jiuling

    Here, south of the Yangzi, grows a red orangetree.

    All winter long its leaves are green,

    Not because of a warmer soil,

    But because its' nature is used to the cold.

    Though it might serve your honourable² guests,

    You leave it here, far below mountain and river.

    Circumstance governs destiny.

    Cause and effect are an infinite cycle.

    You plant your peach-trees and your plums,

    You forget the shade from this other tree.