an empty spot
at the table
a conversation
not held
gifts
not given
nor received
a hole
in a life
to be filled
later
at a table
in a home
somewhere
else
a long way from home
On Meeting A Messenger To The Capital by Ts’en Ts’an
It’s a long way home, a long way east.
I am old and my sleeve is wet with tears.
We meet on horseback. I have no means of writing.
Tell them three words: “He is safe.”
translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu