Summer at West Lake

Four score and seven days ago
I prayed for cool life-giving rain
The storms have passed, a haze remains
Within the haze a heat's contained
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A sleepy summer saunters on
Scented lotus, baby toads
Each year West Lake regenerates
Young love captured in cameras
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Sunflower seeds littered among
Straw mats and smoky oil lamps
Mingled voices lost within
The motorbikes of fishermen
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A silver moon rests placidly
Upon the surface of the lake
Ev'ry night before I sleep
Until the morn' before I wake.

-Zac Herman