One Thought, a Mortal Life · Stubborn and Foolish by Nature · 52 / 102
· Half Understood
Bright gossamer floats over the sleeve-guard; the mind is still, shy of the cold mist, the idle heart half awake. The lotus nods; sway their shadows, bashful. But cool thoughts tug at me again, and I cannot bear to look— lies heavy. With a sweep of the sword I see it off; willow-down wheels and dances, and the dawn cock crows on a whim.
Long since I forgot that the years have no edge; far off the water lies level, watch after watch the same. Let the wing-to-wing birds be—the lovely season squandered on indulgence. Still I love the warm wind on my face; I gaze away in sorrow—what comes after is not yet decided. The green canopies stir, whispering; evening sounds, the pavilion cold.
Glosses—
Bright gossamer: the drifting threads spun out by insects, floating in the air;
Sleeve-guard: a covering worn over the sleeve;
廻儛 [huí wǔ]: to wheel about in flight and dance;
Watch after watch: one night watch, and then another;
鹣鹣 [jiān jiān]: the birds that fly wing to wing;
The lovely season: the time of beauty;
Green canopies: lotus leaves.
*This piece is an original work. If you repost it, please credit the original author Shixi Lin; any infringement, once discovered, will be pursued for legal liability. In addition, the accompanying illustration comes from the internet and belongs to its original artist, Hehewu.