What are years? In early Chinese waters
there was a monster named Year, she came
to harass womankind and mankind at a fixed date
at the beginning of Spring. Later a wise man
taught people to explode fireworks to scare
the monster away. It became the custom
to explode fireworks on New Year’s Day.
Now there is a frightened monster, nothing like
a dragon that brings good luck to the worthy.
I don’t have words to say what Year looks like.
Yes, Year has eyes of many colours, donkey ears
for music, webbed warrior feet, an anus
for disapproved holidays.
Year holds public property that is not hers.

In short, to the God fearing, Year looks like history,
has several deceiving eyes. Still, for a month’s sake,
...