How to understand this lyric tenderness
this stern Confucian magistrate
so bent on tears
each spring he's lovesick
as an adolescent
only West Lake's lush willows
quiet waters
can ease his soul
like bowls of small bright fish
his verses brim with flashing moments
it seems he is forever
saying goodbye forever
losing someone dear
then himself too
in wine and flowers

So much ink spent
on partings
but old friend
you also know the wonder
of first touhing
the drumming of the heart
as fingers tremble
unparted lips brush here
brush there
eyes closed
then opened wide
and shining
softly shining