Every year at the jade mirror stand,
it’s harder to paint myself into a plum flower.
You didn’t return home this year,
and each letter from across the Yangtze fills me with fear.
I drink less since our separation,
my tears exhausted in sorrow.
I see deep Chou clouds when I think of him in distance.
My man is far and the world’s edge is near.
translated by Tony Barnstone & Chou Ping
Awesome, rare, beatiful.
Yes, I agree. I especially love the last line. Glad you liked it, too.
poignant – so many women waiting…
Yes. There were always separations either due to faraway postings or exile or war. And travel was not so easy then, 1000 years ago.
WOW–I especially love Line 2.
Yes, that is telling, isn’t it?
I’ll say–love it.
sad and awesome poem….i like it…
Yes, it is. She touches us all with her sorrow. I’m glad you liked it.
be reading more…
Thank you.
I nominated you for “The Blog Tour Award”…pls. see: https://thehutownerblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/22/the-blog-tour-award/ …congratulations!
Thank you. That’s very thoughtful of you but I think people liking what I post on the blog is award enough. But I appreciate the thought. You are most kind.
thank you…you’re worthy of it…
Holy moly, what a last line.
Yes, it sort of takes your breath away, doesn’t it?