Hopes Disappointed: Southern Branches and Twigs
南 柯 子
怅 望 梅 花 驿
凝 情 杜 若 洲。
香 云 低 处 有 高 楼。
可 惜 高 楼 不 近 木 兰 舟。
缄 素 双 鱼 远
题 红 片 叶 秋
欲 凭 江 水 寄 离 愁。
江 已 东 流 那 肯 更 西 流。
Nan Ke Zi
Chang wang mei hua yi
Ning qing du ruo zhou.
Xiang yun di du you gao lou.
Ke xi gao lou bu jin mu lan zhou.
Jian su shuang you yuan
Ti hong pian ye qiu
Yu ping jiang shui ji li chou.
Jiang yi dong liu ne ken geng xi liu.
Hopes Disappointed: Southern Branches and Twigs
Hopes disappointed for the plum tree blossoms at this post station
Mixed feelings for the Duruo plants growing on an islet.
Low-flying fragrant clouds surround the tall towers
These buildings with their ladies not close to a flowered boat.
My red seal on a white silk letter, she and I like two fish separated
Or flakes of autumn red leaves apart
Expecting the river waters to carry away the worries of departure.
East flowing river arises
Would have to reverse course for our messages to connect.
Notes:
Duruo plants: Scientific name of “Pollia Japonica”, are a flowering perennial native to east Asia.