Listen to Fang Xin read this poem in Chinese and English.

translated from the Chinese by the author

I. THESE WATER WILLOWS’ COLOR

Linda, do you like it
these water willows
these water willows’ color

Linda, this is a swollen stream
this is spring, some little swirls
Linda, if you use young bamboo to fish
too tender, too short, and there are no fish

The stream runs so swift
I shall not wade, Linda
do not weep silently

Don’t, don’t, Linda
if you like, then
carve your words on green boughs

When winter comes, in the fire grate
flames shall read attentively

Yes, when winter comes
snow shall fall
snow shall cover our eyelids
our footprints
we shall gaze no more

These water willows
leaves fallen on ice

Linda, do you like it
these water willows
these water willows’ color

II. SNOW FALLS SO SILENTLY

Snow falls so silently
snow falls in the woods 
where sparrows won’t linger
it is winter now, Linda

Snow falls on your thick, thick black hair
snow is your white, white handkerchief
it falls on my shoulders, silently

Your laughter is a basket of sweet chestnuts
scattered by the well where I draw water every day
when spring comes, will they sprout into new trees

Snow is doing lacework on your skirt, Linda
bright stars twinkle in your eyes

Where is my shadow
fallen under your eyelashes, Linda
why are you just standing there, not moving

Quick, shape me into a plump snowman
Linda, shape you into one, too

Snow is the most lovely indifference

Yes, Linda, when spring comes
snow shall melt us
memories shall melt too
we shall not stand, side by side, anymore

Linda, when sparrows come to drink by the well
where shall squirrels go to pick up chestnuts

III. LITTLE CANDLES IN THE GARDEN

Don’t light little candles in the garden, Linda
don’t come looking for me 
carrying your little lantern, either

Lest you wake up the dreamless sunflowers
and I, I am on the rooftop, under starlight
transcribing a book of scoreless music

Maybe you have just been reading attentively, Linda
just let those diamonds fall, noiseless
now, isn’t darkness another kind of light
more serene, more boundless

Night, if you feel cold, Linda
it is like a big, big carpet
walk onto it slowly, Linda
do not speak

When the multicolored hustle bustle falls 
into deep, silent slumber
let the star-eaten sky 
be our cover

IV. RUN BAREFOOT, ON THE SAND

If forgetfulness is like an umbrella, Linda
don’t fold up this harmonious indifference

If it is in the woods, in the morning
when cherries are green, Linda
there shall be birdsongs, always, washing down

And the sun is warm, the breezes so velvety
do not fold up this harmonious indifference, Linda

If forgetfulness is like an umbrella
do not go launch paper boats, in the rain
by the streamside where lilies cluster
shallow waters run wild

There shall be strange, tiny sounds
tapping your hair
as you watch them twirl in the waves 
and sink, one by one

Nobody, not even the misty rain
has such tiny, tiny hands
don’t let it tickle you, Linda

If forgetfulness is like an umbrella
just let it go, with the wind

When you run barefoot, on the sand
the sea, raising its thousand-fathom ecstasy
is coming to you

Written 1960, translated 2021

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