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Answer to an Affectionate Invitation from Ts'ui Fifteen
Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell (1921) · From Fir-Flower Tablets (1921)
You have the "bird's foot-print" characters.
You suggest that we drink together at the Lute Stream.
The characters you wrote are in the centre of a foot of pure white silk,
They are like exquisite clouds dropped from Heaven.
Having finished reading, I smile at the empty air,
I feel as though my friend were before me
Reciting verses for a long time.
The characters are not faded. I shall keep them in my sleeve, and they should last three years.
Cite this poem
MLA
Po, Li. “Answer to an Affectionate Invitation from Ts'ui Fifteen.” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/li-po/91/.
Chicago
Po, Li. “Answer to an Affectionate Invitation from Ts'ui Fifteen.” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/li-po/91/.
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