To the tune "Courtyard Filled with Fragrance" <br /> <br />Fragrant grass beside the pond <br />green shade over the hall <br />a clear cold comes through <br />the window curtains <br />crescent moon beyond the golden bars <br />and a flute sounds <br />as if someone were coming <br />but alone on my mat with a cup <br />gazing sadly into nothingness <br />I want to call back <br />the blackberry flowers <br />that have fallen <br />though pear blossoms remain <br />for in that distant year <br />I came to love their fresh fragrance <br />scenting my sleeve <br />as we culled petals over the fire <br />when as far as the eye could see <br />were dragon boats on the river <br />graceful horses and gay carts <br />when I did not fear the mad winds <br />and violent rain <br />as we drank to good fortune <br />with warm blackberry wine <br />now I cannot conceive <br />how to retrieve that time.<br /><br />Li Ch'ing Chao<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tz-u-no-1-2/
