She Sighs on Her Jade Lute by Wen T’ing-yun

A cool-matted silvery bed; but no dreams. . .
An evening sky as green as water, shadowed with tender clouds;
But far off over the southern rivers the calling of a wildgoose,
And here a twelve-story building, lonely under the moon.

translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu

2 thoughts on “She Sighs on Her Jade Lute by Wen T’ing-yun

  1. “shadowed with tender clouds” is a lovely choice, no? Very evocative of times past in inner city strange light and the call of a more peaceful, less crowded space. Of course too much of that can get a bit boring.

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