When my hair first covered my forehead
I played at the gate picking flowers
you came riding a bamboo pole horse
we ran around the well throwing plums
we both lived in Changkan Village
two children without any guile
at fourteen I became your wife
I was too shy to smile
I bowed by the wall in the shadows
when you called I didn’t answer
then at fifteen I stopped frowning
your life and death became mine
I vowed never to leave you
so why am I climbing this lookout
when I turned sixteen you left on a journey
a journey to far off Chutang Gorge
impassable half the year
and gibbons howling from the cliffs
at the gate where you lingered before leaving
your footprints have since turned to moss
it’s too thick to sweep
and leaves are falling early
the yellow butterflies of autumn
are flying in pairs in our garden
the very sight hurts my heart
and drains the rose from my cheeks
when you finally head back through the Gorges
send a letter so I’ll know
I’ll come to meet you no matter how far
even to Changfeng Shoals

translated by Red Pine