did the

orange, black,

&

bedsheet-white koi,

erhu tuning up

over peaceful ripples,

budding

hibiscus,

softly swaying

willow branches,

bitter floral

oolong,

ornate paifang,

mooncakes in

season, 

smokey mid

autumn air,

and trees of

heaven

bring you back, 

even for just a 

second?

did your

imagination

conjure

familiar,

rose-tinted

central beauty?

would you

know home

in the face of

five thousand

miles?

your sad eyes

say yes.

fellow stranger,

if ever you read

this,

please

remember:

the jade rabbit 

delights to be

in your plum

company.