The Middlewesterner

AFTER WANG WEI'S
"WEI CITY SONG"

Morning rain
lays the dust.

The willows
at the inn

are fresh, green.
Have another

cup of wine
with me, yes?

West of here
you won't have

such good friends.

~

AFTER LI PO'S
"SPRING LONGING"

There where you are
the northern grasses must
be bright, green threads.

Here the mulberry trees
hang heavy with spring.
Husband, come home.

The randy wind is
stirring the curtains
around my bed.

~

AFTER LADY NIGHT'S
"SONG OF AUTUMN"

She opens the window,
lets in the moonlight,

puts out the candle,
takes off her dress.

She climbs into bed,
smiling, and adjusts

her body. It is more
fragrant than orchids.

~

AFTER YAU YWE-HAW'S
"HE DOES NOT COME"

I have waited
and waited for him,
candles lit,
the wine cups full.

I've gone out to watch
and come back in.
The sky has already
started to brighten.

The moon is going down,
the stars are disappearing,
and still I wait.
He does not come.

Now I hear a magpie
beating its wings among
the willows and stealing
my happiness away.

~

AFTER THREE LINES
BY LI CHING-JAU
FROM "TUNE: TIPSY IN
THE FLOWERS' SHADE"

Don't say my soul
is not weary.

As curtains fade
in light and wind,

I'm a wilting
chrysanthemum.

~