TOUCHED BY COLD MOON LIGHT

TOUCHED_BY_COLD_MOON_LIGHTI’m still reading these Chinese poems! This one is full of lovely sensual inner echoes, a wonderful poem about growing old. I love the childlike idea of paradise as an island of fairies! It is just so beautiful. Love Susie x

 

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So hard to see you, so hard to leave.

The east wind slackens, the flowers all wither,

A spring silkworm spits silk until it dies.

A candle weeps till it's a burnt nub.

 

In the morning mirror I worry my hair is whitening.

At night I chant poems, touched by cold moonlight.

I know that paradise, an island of fairies, is close.

Bluebird, please show me the way.

 

Li Shangyin  (813-858)