Love
Written in the Character of a Beautiful Woman Grieving Before Her Mirror (I)
Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell (1921) · From Fir-Flower Tablets (1921)
Bright, bright, the gilded magpie mirror,
Absolutely perfect in front of me on the jade dressing-stand.
Wiped, rubbed, splendid as the Winter moon;
Its light and brilliance, how clear and round!
The rose-red face is older than it was yesterday,
The hair is whiter than it was last year.
The white-lead powder is neglected,
It is useless to look into the mirror. I am utterly miserable.
Cite this poem
MLA
Po, Li. “Written in the Character of a Beautiful Woman Grieving Before Her Mirror (I).” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/li-po/48/.
Chicago
Po, Li. “Written in the Character of a Beautiful Woman Grieving Before Her Mirror (I).” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/li-po/48/.
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