The world is never
any more than just this—
I knew it all along,
but an aching heart
is still hard to bear.

translated by Ian Hideo Levy

often in life
we have those moments
when we wish
we were a year from now
to be through whatever
it is that’s driving us
instead of us driving it
our need to be the subject
not the object
of our lives
if only
you think
I could be a year from now
slip through time
bypass the morass we’re in
be beyond the confusion
the pain the sorrow
be somewhere else
another mindset
different circumstances
if only
if only
I could
but one can’t
that’s the sad truth of it
we just have to trek on
through whatever badlands
we find ourselves in
heading for open sky
and the promise of hope
in happiness
waiting for us
just over the horizon

watching from afar
hearts will break in two in three
pieces fall away
there is no easy way out
and staying is harder still

okay I know
what he said
or didn’t say
what she did
or didn’t do
what goes on
behind that closed door
this is not exactly foreign territory
here
or there
that you are speaking of
and though I sympathize
it’s not something new
for you,
or me
for anyone
but go ahead anyway
tell me about it
then afterwards
I’ll tell you

we danced on tables
all night
during those wild crazy days
of summer
laid under a blanket
on the beach
whispering love poems
sat on the edge
of a volcano
eating barbecue
and counted stars
under a western sky
a lifetime ago
you were every woman
who ever accompanied me
in every story
on all the pages
of my life
for you are my last love
obliterating every other love
that ever was
with the passion
in my heart
for you
now if only
I could find you
the rest of the story
is already written

I hear the night
the cat’s trough hums
the candle hisses
someone walks across the floor upstairs
a baby cries
a dog barks
and from inside my chest
there is a crack
then silence fills the air

How can a deep love seem deep love,
How can it smile, at a farewell feast?
Even the candle, feeling our sadness,
Weeps, as we do, all night long.

translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu

This world drives you out of your mind,
This night, these stars, this fragrance,
This tree bursting with flowers from tip to toe.

translated by Talat S. Halman