Ye He Hua · No Words

Slow steps, the song at its end; the dream leaves its old traces behind; a whole body of dusk only just coming on. A heaven and earth inside the pot smooth out the cold light of the sword's shadow. Rain wets the magnolia's scent; the flower-blowing wind beats at the blood-stained coat and cools it. To have seen the scorched earth, to have known what a life is — all of it in one moment of panic.

Three rolls of the rattle-drum fly up, hurrying me back to my senses; a small stone, clear and bright, in the quiet pond. My heart carries an age of chaos; what can such care do but hide itself deep? If an old friend were beside me, I would keep you company through the years and the festivals and never know their length. To take leave of all that ties me, I follow you off into the distance, and guard your peace and health forever.