CHINESE POETRY

Yaun Zhen
Giving Vent to Sorrow

Former years
We chatted about dying
Carelessly
Without tears,
Since we were filled with living,
Merrily.

But since then,
You’ve passed from my very eyes,
Now taken.

I’ve given
Almost all your clothes away,
All but the
Sewing things,
Where you left is where they stay,
Untaken.

Attachments,
From past kindness to your maids,
I have kindness as you made;
Commitments.

Sutras sung
I ordered for memories
Of our time,
And this rhyme
I’ve written for memories;
Still undone.

Certainly,
this sorrow will come to all.
But to poor,
Low couples
Sadness is a common call,
Everyday.

Retranslated by Professor Gloom




Gloom 99

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