A Mortal Life, Born of One Thought · Stubborn and Foolish by Nature · 52 / 102
Shuang Rui Lian · Half Understood
Bright gossamer floats over the sleeve-guard; the mind is still and shy of the cold mist, and the idle heart keeps a remnant of waking. The lotus nods its head; twin blossoms on one stem sway their shadows, bashful. But then cool thoughts pull at me, and I cannot bear to look — the dust of the past lies heavy. I raise the sword in farewell; willow-down wheels and dances, the dawn cock takes up the mood.
Long ago I forgot that the years have no edge; far off the waters lie level, watch after watch all the same. Let the wing-to-wing birds be — the lovely days squandered on indulgence. Still I love the warm wind across my face; I gaze away in sorrow — the life to come is unsettled. The green canopies stir, whispering; the 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 Guang Zhi Shiyi; 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.