Time & Brevity
Falling Petals
Translated by Witter Bynner and Kiang Kang-hu (1929) · From The Jade Mountain (1929)
Time & Brevity
Gone is the guest from the Chamber of Rank,
And petals, confused in my little garden,
Zigzagging down my crooked path,
Escort like dancers the setting sun.
Oh, how can I bear to sweep them away?
To a sad-eyed watcher they never return.
Heart's fragrance is spent with the ending of spring
And nothing left but a tear-stained robe.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shang-yin, Li. “Falling Petals.” Translated by Witter Bynner and Kiang Kang-hu. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/li-shang-yin/13/.
Chicago
Shang-yin, Li. “Falling Petals.” Translated by Witter Bynner and Kiang Kang-hu. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/li-shang-yin/13/.
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