from Dream of the Red Chamber

We present this work in honor of China’s National Day.

10-01 Cao
Cao Xuequin
Chinese
715 – 763

 

I gaze around in the west wind, sick at heart;
A sad season this of red smartweed and white reeds;
No sign is there of autumn by the bare fence round my plot.
Yet I dream of attenuated blooms in the frost.
My heart follows the wild geese back to the distant south,
Sitting lonely at dusk I hear pounding of washing blocks.
Who will pity me pining away for the yellow flowers?
On the Double Ninth Festival they will reappear.

 

Translation by Gladys Yang

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