Floating City IV

Xia Gui-Remote View of Hill and Stream c1180-1230

The surface of the canal is stilled momentarily
Glass like textured colour of perfected clarity
Drifting pellucid azure and liquid wisps of white
The grey of gargoyles on the bridge where I’m standing
Looking into depths of this quicksilver mirror
Marvelling at the pastel vision of innocence
Decadent dream of a long vanquished Empire
My reflection stares back past and beyond
A transitory tranquillity falls like water into water.