Sheng-yu’s Lament (after Mei Yao-ch’en)
First heaven took my wife,
and now, my son.
These eyes will never dry
and my heart slowly turns to ash.
Rain seeps far into the earth
like a pearl dropped into the sea.
Swim deep and you’ll see the pearl,
dig in the earth and you’ll find water.
But when people return to the source,
we know they’re gone forever.
I touch my empty chest and ask, who
is that withered ghost in the mirror?
* * *
“Sheng-yu’s Lament” is included in my micro-chapbook, No Eye But The Moon’s, available via free download at Origami Poems Project.
The transliteration on Chinese-poems.com reads:
Heaven already take my wife
Again again take my son
Two eyes although not dry
(Disc) heart will want die
Rain fall enter earth in
Pearl sink enter sea deep
Enter sea can seek pearl
Dig earth can see water
Only person return source below
Through the ages know self (yes)
Touch breast now ask who
Emaciated mirror in ghost
O at the Edges 
That little chapbook has a permanent residence in one of my purses. Often heartbreaking, but needed poems.
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Ah, Sunshine! Thank you. You have brightened my day!
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Touching and my heart bleeds but this is real and that’s what makes it beautiful.
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Mei’s words ring true even after centuries have passed.
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touching.
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Thank you.
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What lovely words.
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Thanks very much Barbara. I appreciate your support.
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