The view from far: beside the gate
they've set up a colored pole;
the whole family comes out to greet me
and ask me how I am.
Everyone's glad I've come home early
from the Immortal Park;
they tell me it was difficult
to get letters from Ch'ang-an.
On the wall, my degree announcement,
gold pale from the rain;
outside the window, plums and willows,
chilled by the spring air.
So cute and brash, my little sister
admires her brother's glory:
she asks if I will let her have
my court robe to try on.