How does Stephen Mitchell use imagery in Tao Te Ching?

Example of Imagery:

"There was something formless and perfect, before the universe was born.

It is serene. Empty. Solitary. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present.

It is the mother of the universe. For lack of a better name, I call it the Tao.

It flows through all things, inside and outside, and returns to the origin of all things.
The Tao is great. The universe is great. Earth is great. Man is great.

These are the four great powers.

Man follows the earth. Earth follows the universe. The universe follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself."

Chapter 25