Li Qingzhao Amid Autumnal Green Petals, Fades Fragrance From Pink Lotus Flowers. 李清照 紅藕香殘玉簟秋 Poem by Frank Yue

TUNE: Yī Jiǎn Méi
"A Cut Spray of Plum-Flowers"
TITLE: "Amid autumnal green petals, fades fragrance"
-by LI QINGZHAO (1081-1151?)
(Southern Song dynasty)
-Translated by Frank C Yue

Amid autumnal green petals, fades fragrance from pink lotus flowers.
Taking off my silk robe, (m'self some freedom to afford - )
Alone, an orchid boat I blithely board.
Through clouds, who's sending me a letter on the Geese that ply?
By the time the winged messengers return with my reply,
Bright moonlight floods my western bower.

Petals fall and blow,
Running waters flow;
The same strong longings we share,
In two places two hearts in despair!
O Tell me please, would you,
How to clear sentiments so blue?
Grief knitted my eyebrows in deep frown,
Once released, Grief sinks for my heart to drown!


(2013.10.22)


【一剪梅】 南宋 • 李清照

紅藕香殘玉簟秋，輕解羅裳，獨上蘭舟。
雲中誰寄錦書來？雁字回時，月滿西樓。

花自飄零水自流，一種相思，兩處閑愁。
此情無計可消除，才下眉頭，卻上心頭。