Art of War, The

after Sun-tzu

1

A coiled plume of dust

above the glinting alder

means chariots advancing:

a low cloud signifies infantry

running crouched

through the withered reeds:

wisps are spies:

whirling wisps

might be your own desire

or a fly inside your casque

or just whirling wisps.

The tingle of a gnat

on the back of your wrist

means dawn is dose

but you will not see it

2

If you cleave to victory

it will elude you

like water in cupped hands.

Engage the enemy

in the high peaks of Xo

with the sky at your back.

Or hunt him in a dream

and when he turns

and levels his crossbow

there are two ways out:

waking and the pathless forest.

3

A trillium leaf

with a nibbled edge

or a bruised buttercup

that shines darkly

on a snapped stalk-.

striation on an upturned pebble

like stretch marks on a pregnant belly-

a bead of dew

flashing like a beacon

at the tip of a blade of arrowgrass

these are signs

the enemy is marshaling

in the pupil of your love's eye

when she trembles beside you

in the narrow cang,

naked on red silk.

4

In a staked burlap tent

lit by pitch torches,

count with bamboo rods

(the knot is zero)-

a thousand silver taels,

a horizon of wheat,

forty six elephants

You must throw yourself

into this battle

which will never end

and there is no shame

if you are captured

and paraded naked

before the enemy slaves,

no fault if your parents

are sold for a handful of barley

and dung smeared on the tablets.

5

Know your enemy.

His mind is like a brief whistled tune

repeating in the parched reeds.

His face is a coin rubbed smooth.

Know yourself.

Fire is at your command.

If a fly dies,

so does the empire.

D. NURKSE is the author of eight books of poetry, including Burnt Island and The Fall (Knopf, 2005 and 2002). Recent work is in The Times Literary Supplement and Ploughshares. He teaches at Sarah Lawrence College.

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