rejectomorph | Mushroomed

My neighbor across the street (the one who may or may not be in league with the crows) has had a load of firewood delivered. Maybe firewood is cheaper in April, or maybe he just likes to have the wood all stacked and ready before the cold weather arrives later in the year. It probably is easier to shift a big pile of wood from your driveway into neat stacks behind your house when the days are still cool than during an autumn heat wave or premature winter storm. October and November are apt to bring either in these parts.

April is apt to bring either, too but right now it's only bringing a rumpled gray sky and chilly breezes. And even if the wood gets wet it will have all summer to dry off. I have a fireplace I've never used, though I'm sure it's sound. Maybe I should get a load of wood, too, before I run out of money, and before it gets too hot. I'm sure it will get hot— eventually.

I was going to buy broccoli when I went to the store today, but I forgot. I remembered the mushrooms, though. Now I'll have to have broccoli and mushrooms without broccoli. Maybe I can make cabbage and mushrooms instead. Although I've only got head cabbage, not napa, there's plenty of it on hand. But what I ought to be making is something that would help improve my memory. Preferably something that also has mushrooms in it. Mushrooms and the damp approach of spring just go together so well.

Sunday Verse plus Bonus Music

Here is some some somwhat westernized traditional Chinese music to go with the somewhat westernized traditional Chinese poetry. Sorry, I couldn't find any actual Chinese chanting tunes.

POEMS FROM THE CHINESE

In the original syllabic and rhyme scheme, to accompany the Chinese chanting tunes.

An Old Man's Song of Spring
     –by Seng Dji-Nan (Sung Dynasty) 

Among the trees I may yet 
Enjoy the day at sunset; 
  For willow winds are not cold, 
Apricot rains are not wet. 


Seeking the Hermit in Vain
     –by Gia Dao (T'ang Dynasty)

"Gone to gather herbs"—
  So they say of you. 
But in cloud-girt hills, 
  What am I to do?


On Being Denied Admittance to a Friend's Garden    
     –by Yeh Shih (Sung Dynasty) 

Although your gate bar my way, 
You cannot check the spring's play; 
  For free above your proud wall 
There hangs one apricot spray. 


The Sudden Coming of Spring
     –by Cheng Hao (Sung Dynasty) 

Scant clouds just flake the noon sky; 
By willowed streamlets stroll I. 
  But men know not my heart's joy, 
And say, "Old fool, the hours fly." 


Night-time in Spring
     –by Wang An-Shih (Sung Dynasty) 

Silence reigns where sound has been; 
Chill the breeze, half soft, half keen; 
  While the moon through sleepless hours 
Shifts dark blossoms up the screen.