Idylls and Hearthsmoke. The Long Day Ends. Postcard by Qing Qing's Isle.

That day, I settled into a small cottage nestled between mountains and a stream. In this quiet, rain-swept village, time seemed to flow differently than usual. We drank tea, cooked meals, and took walks, passing two ordinary days this way. I watched the rain fall and stop from inside the cottage; I lit the lamp and then extinguished it. Time left its mark on the ancient walls. At moments like these, when poetry seemed to drift from afar and knock on my heart's door, I felt compelled to write. I know the essence of my words is born from the earth, not from grand halls, But even so, all of this feels so beautiful to me. Looking up, I searched the cloudy sky for a star, And in that moment, I truly realized How precious it is to always lift my gaze, seeking the beauty in things. Lying in bed, my soul steeped in softness, In the darkness, I thanked the world from the bottom of my heart for bringing me here. Embrace beauty and kindness; smile; live simply; Like things with pure hearts; know what is most important. And then, be honest with yourself and the world. Tomorrow, and indeed every day… I truly wish to become this kind of person. - "I Came Here" Between the mountains and the stream The earth extends its hands Gently cradling a small village The people who arrive at the village Hope for sunshine But what always comes is rain Yet the rain, like me, Has journeyed over mountains and across rivers To arrive at this day, To this very moment, And to meet the window before my eyes. I think I don't necessarily need a clear sky. - The quiet village, Where the shape of time stretches long, So I indulge in Napping, drinking tea, cooking meals, And walking, Walking very, very slowly. Thus, I savor the days, As if searching for a star in the sky. - Watching the rain fall, the rain stop, Watching the lamp light, the lamp go out, Watching light and shadow shift on the old walls with time, I wait here. I wait here, For a poem To ask me to write it down, Waiting for it to draw out the purest essence within me, To become, in my stead, A better person. - And I understand deeply. I am not that kind of soul, Bright and pristine. Not dwelling in halls, I live upon the earth. But beautiful things still happen. - In truth, When I look up, It doesn't mean I must possess a star. The most precious thing Is this search for beauty, And this belief. As an ordinary person, The greatest compassion the world bestows upon me Is this heart That always willingly looks up at the stars. - The long day has ended. Embracing beauty and kindness, Always smiling, living simply, Liking things with pure hearts, Knowing what truly matters, Being honest with myself and the world. Ah, tomorrow, I still deeply wish to become This kind of person.