Chuc Mung Nam Moi! Gung Hay Fat Choy! Saehae Bok Mani Paduseyo!

the annual Lunar New Year poem! Year of the Monkey!

Under the shadow of the new moon,
a young monkey's lips find his mother's
full bosom for the first time.

While he sucks, she grooms him
creating rows through his hair
like the young rice plantings
in the valley below.

Atop the hill, a ram long lost
from the herd rests, lays
his heavy horned head
while a light snow blankets him.

His nostrils twitch slightly
from the fragrance of three
incense sticks burning
at the altar of ancestors
next to moon cakes

and a cup of water where tea leaves unfurl the

future.