Who planted banana trees in front of my window?
Their shadows fall in the midst of the courtyard.
Their shadows fall in the midst of the courtyard.
Leaves like hearts, leaves like hearts,
That open and close with excess of love.
Midnight, rain, on the leaves saddens my own heart.
Dien! Di! Dien! Di! Bitter cold, unceasing rain.
Drip! Drop! Drip! Drop! Bitter cold, unceasing rain.
Loneliness. Loneliness.
Sorrow corrodes this exile from the North.
How can I bear to lie awake and listen?

translated by Kenneth Rexroth & Ling Chung