from China

Parrot
Po Chu-yi

Talk all day and then keep silent;
Midnight, still restless on its perch.
Body imprisoned for its bright plumage;
Heart embittered by understanding.
Dusk arouses thoughts of return to nest;
Springtime multiplies mating calls.
Who can break this cage open,
Released, to joy in flight and song?

This is a lovely poem but I have to wonder--when did parrots arrive in China?

Vampire story

A shout-out to the two wonderful ladies in 109 who showed me what I was doing wrong on the computer and how to fix it.

This was written for an English class last year; finishing it is still on my To Do list, but there is still enough to enjoy.

( Dracula's Journal )