Sun melted snow trickles down,
enlivens creek, soon to expand
to winding river’s width.
Once a harbinger of spring,
displaced cherry blossoms
float downward in breeze.
I grieve the season’s loss
and the loss of you,
as pink petaled rain gently falls.
Blossoms cling to gurgling stream,
like sweet rosé lingering
upon nature’s savoring lips.
Kingfishers nest in branches
looking down upon headstones,
all ornate save one.
Your simply etched name
and the grandiose sculptures,
all indiscriminately covered.
What more wealth do you or I
or any of these dead souls need
than nature’s unconditional kindness?
This reminder of her accepting love.
This exquisitely serene pink rain.
Written for last Tuesday’s Poetics at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe. Laura is hosting and reminds us that today is UN Chinese Language Day.
She asked us to choose one of four poems she provided, and with as many re-reads as we needed, to imagine what the poet painted and what impressions were conveyed…and then reinterpret the poem in our own style. We must use the title of the poem we choose and of course, credit the author. We may only use a few words from the poem itself. The poem I chose to reinterpret is below:
Winding River ~ Du Fu
Each piece of flying blossom leaves spring the less,
I grieve as myriad points float in the wind.
I watch the last ones move before my eyes,
And cannot have enough wine pass my lips.
Kingfishers nest by the little hall on the river,
Unicorns lie at the high tomb’s enclosure.
Having studied the world, one must seek joy,
For what use is the trap of passing honour?
lillian the home poet 
Very nice reinterpretation Lillian. I love your ending of the headstones and everything going back to nature! It happens to us no matter how big the stone!
Dwight
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Glad you enjoyed! Yes, I suspect the dead do not know the size of their plot or their stone.
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You are right!
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I loved the lines “What more wealth do you or I
or any of these dead souls need
than nature’s unconditional kindness?”
If only nature was truly kind. 😉
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Glad you enjoyed those lines….I found this an interesting exercise to “reinterpret” another’s poem….especially another from a different culture than my own.
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I love the way you portray sorrow and nature in combination. The passing of seasons has such connection to the passing of life.
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I agree!
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Well written Lillian!
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Thank you, Rob!
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A beautiful, heartfelt and very touching reinterpretation, Lill. You poured all your grief into this one. I love the way the blossoms fall through your lines as ‘pink petalled rain’.
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Thank you, Kim. I so appreciate everyone’s kind thoughts. And now I promise I will get back to my old cheerful self 🙂
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I love the depth you’ve given this, Lillian.
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Thank you, Ken. It’s been an emotional week.
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Yes Lillian, I like this notion of Nature being both accepting and unconditional – that ultimately always takes us back in her bosom
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“I grieve the season’s loss
and the loss of you,
as pink petaled rain gently falls.
Blossoms cling to gurgling stream,
like sweet rosé lingering
upon nature’s savoring lips.”
That is lovely and heartbreaking, the pink petals felt more like tears.
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I missed last Tuesday’s Poetics prompt ….. so glad you posted again … this is so full of emotion. just beautiful.
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I like you comparing the falling cherry blossoms to wine for the river to drink.
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Your interpretation is breathtaking and so moving. I think your heart and tears are in this one, Lil.
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I can see your interpretation clearly when reading the prompt but it stands so well without that link to those feelings about nature and loss. Indeed what more wealth do we need and we forget the ‘unconditional kindness’ of our bountiful planet when we just see nature as human and cruel! Thought provoking and beautiful.
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Lillian, I love cherry blossoms, and you painted them in magic. Exquisitely serene pink rain. Love that line.
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Such a gentle and beautiful poem of mourning, Lillian:
‘What more wealth do you or I
or any of these dead souls need
than nature’s unconditional kindness?’
What more indeed? 🌸
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Wonderful poem, Lillian. I love the thought of pink rain!
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