Jianqing Zheng

Moon Festival

After mid-autumn, after people in China sing, dance and eat mooncakes under the full moon, Chang’e looks lonelier in the moon palace, and her round face begins to wane. She’s losing some weight night by night. To keep her body in good shape, she fastens a silk belt around her waist and abstains from sweet food. She no longer paces like a plump goddess; instead, she wants to spread her long, ample sleeves to moon-dance for those whose life isn’t mooncake-sweet.

autumn moon
sound of a bamboo flute
from a boathouse