And what I have no way of knowing is whether a Chinese poem reads as logically as this to a Chinese reader.

To someone not classically educated such as yours truly, no. English translations always read like free translations of Vernacular Chinese renditions to me; and the only reason I know is because I depend on Vernacular Chinese translations to read poetry.

'I'm kinda interested in manga, I'll apply for that librarian's position cataloguing books in the Oriental Institute's Japanese library.'

Lol, and don't we all wish.