SU TUNG-PO

(1037–1101)

Remembering My Wife

Ten years ago you died.

And my life ceased.

Even when I don’t think of you,

I grieve. And with your grave

a thousand miles away,

there is no place for me

to give my grief a voice.

You wouldn’t know me

if you saw me now,

me with snowy hair

and a dusty face.

I dreamed myself home

last night, and saw you

through a window

combing out your hair.

When you saw me,

we were speechless

till we burst into silent tears.

Year after year,

I recall that moonlit night

we spent alone together

among hills of stunted pine.

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