CHINESE POETRY

Li Shang-yin ( 813? – 858 )

Spring Rain

Retranslated by Professor Gloom
New and fresh,
Laying in white-lined clothing,
In sadness.

The City,
Desolate dense feeling,
A darkness.

In the rain,
The woman’s homes are chilling,
How the seem.

Flickering,
Light behind the pearl screening,
Alone dreams.

Far away,
You lament in springs passing,
Restless times.

Vague dreaming,
Through out night’s shallow dreaming,
Restlessness.

How to send,
These thoughts of letter writing,
A love’s gift.

Without wing,
To carry through cloudy skies;
Shifting winds
Over lands
Upon which the late spring rain cries,
To you hands;
Uncarried,
Only my love thoughts still flies.
Unhurried.
If the goose
Could carry before love dies,
And I lose.


Gloom 99

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