The Phoenix on the Headpiece

Author: Lu You (1125—1210)

Pinkish hands; yellowish wine.

Spring fills the garden within its polished walls

along which willow trees line.

Malicious east winds; brief joyful time.

A heart of melancholy; a few years of whine.

Pine! Pine! Pine!

Spring comes as ever; she appears thinner.

Tears run through her red chiffon handkerchief like a river.

Peach blossoms fall, descending across the pond and the chamber.

We keep our vows in mind while unable to send a letter.

Never! Never! Never!

Copyright: A POETIC PORTAL TO CHINESE CULTURE, China Pictorial Press