Xina Song 960-1279
Ouyang Xiu 1007 – 1072
To the Tune of “Spring in the Tower of Jade”
You’ve left and I don’t know if you’re near or far.
Everything I see is broken and dull.
The farther you go, the fewer letters come.
Who can I ask? This river is so broad it drowns the fish.
In deep night the wind beats the bamboo-it sounds like autumn,
ten thousand leaves making a thousand cries of grief.
Alone on my pillow I search for dreams of you.
No dream comes. I watch the lamp-guttering, out.
Painting Eyebrows, to the Tune of “Pouring Out Deep Emotions”
A light frost on the curtain in early morning, she rolls it up,
and blows her hands warm, begins to paint her face new.
Longing for him, she draws her eyebrows long as distant mountains.
Thinking about the past,
she sighs over the flowing petals
and easily drops into grief.
She almost sings, but stops herself.
She almost smiles, then knits her brows.
It’s enough to tear your heart.