MELODY OF THE EASTERN WINDS

A lamp of sorrow
sits alone at the window
I stand behind the door
pretending that you are still here
drifting across the old places
the full moon only exudes loneliness
the flame of the candle awakes in the middle of the night
with not the heart to resent me

A vessel of wandering
traveling to the ends of the world is hard to swallow
after you leave
wine warms our memories, easing my yearning
water flows towards the east
can time be stolen
flowers bloom only once
yet I’ve missed that moment

Who is playing on the pipa –
a melody of the Eastern Winds?
on the peeling walls ravaged by time
I see our childhood memories
remembering the days when we were still young and naive
alas the sound of the music is distant
my waiting
you have not heard

Who is playing on the pipa –
a melody of the Eastern Winds?
the maple leaves paint our story in its shade
and I know how this would end
I held your hands as we walked down the old pavement outside the fence
amidst the wilderness and smoke in the year
even farewell was silent.

Pei Wen grew up in Taiwan and is based in Singapore. When she is not writing, she can be found watching Chinese dramas or reading ancient Chinese poetry.