The Joy of an Encounter

The Joy of an Encounter

Author: Li Yu (937—978)

Pink petals of spring blossoms in the forest keep falling.

Too quickly they fly passing.

Alas, they cannot prevail through the morning rain and

evening winds of this chilly spring.

The tears of rouge look drunk while accompanying one another.

When will they ever be returning?

Life always goes on with regrets as the eastbound river

always continues flowing.

Li was the last emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty (937—975). He had two exceptionally beautiful wives, nicknamed Big Empress Zhou and Small Empress Zhou because they were sisters. Big Empress Zhou unfortunately passed away at age 29. A few years later, Li married her younger sister. The two sisters made Li’s palace life heavenly until the Song Dynasty eliminated the Southern Tang Dynasty. Then Li lived the rest of his life in captivity. Poetry writing became his only outlet.