Japanese camellias at Fanxing Temple by Su Tung-p’o

Two camellia trees
facing each other
wonder who planted them?

I’ve come by myself
to visit them
in this fine drizzle

I wanted to talk with them
but that won’t happen
they are beyond language

brilliantly, thoroughly red,
as if on fire
blooming here in snow.

translated by Jiann I. Lin & David Young

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