1.) “Crows Calling at Night” by: Li bai
Yellow clouds beside the walls; crows roosting near.
Flying back, they caw, caw; calling in the boughs.
In the loom she weaves brocade, the Qin river girl.
Made of emerald yarn like mist, the window hides her words.
She stops the shuttle, sorrowful, and thinks of the distant man.
She stays alone in the lonely room, her tears just like the rain.
2.) Reinterpretation of “Crows Calling at Night” by: Li bai
Yellow clouds near the walls where crows are roosting.
They are cawing as they fly into gingko tree boughs.
The Qin river girl is creating brocade with her loom.
The emerald yarn is mist like, the window hides her words.
Sadly, she stops the shuttle, and thinks of her far off love.
She is lonely here in her room, her tears just like the rain.
3.) A fully original poem inspired by Li bai’s “Crows Calling at Night”
A Crystal Tear
Sun-gold clouds fade in dimming cerulean
a lone raven’s black eyes stare steadily
loudly cawing, he effortlessly alights
perched in the striking autumn yellow
of the ginkgo’s lovely fanned petals
a lonely woman works in deft rhythm
rich silk gleams taut in her drawloom
she carefully raises the brocade patterns
learned as a child in her Shanxi province
sure hands pull the fine emerald threads
prayer on her lips — she stares far off
a closed window holds fast her whispers
sadly she falls quiet — pauses the shuttle
thinking longingly of her distant lover
wondering — will their lips again touch
she sits alone — unmoving — head turned
a crystal tear falls like a first rain drop
More poetry at: dVerse
Oh, those tears I can feel the heartbreak. Beautifully written Rob
Thank you True… 🙂
Rob, What a pleasure to read! Loved the reimagined Li bai and your own original poem, especially the lavish use of detail so rich it transports us to another world and time. “Autumn yellow,” “emerald threads,” “closed window,” “first raindrop,”: all the imagery just weave a atmospheric tapestry of love, loneliness and grief. ??
Thank you Dora, you are most gracious…! 🙂
A lovely take on the reinterpreting the poem. Well done.
Thank you Dwight!
Rob-
This was simultaneously so much the same as and so distinct from the original – I am left humbled.
<3
David
Thank you David! I simply looked through my personal lens when reding his original piece, not trying to change, but rather translate it to something I better understood. I also personally invite you to read my fully original “A Crystal Tear” inspired by Li bai’s work!
I love your inspired ‘A Crystal Tear’
Thank you Ron! 🙂
I so enjoyed ‘A Crystal Tear’, Rob, in which you’ve explored the translated Chinese poem and rediscovered a world of colour and light, as well as a back story as intricate as the patterns in the woman’s brocade.
Thank you Kim! I did a bit of fun research… 🙂
you have brought the Qin river girl to life – so vividly told, so beautifully rendered. The backdrop of the golden ginkgo adds a touch of lustre.
Thank you Laura, I am pleased this resonated for you… 🙂
I feel the heartbreak. I imagine a crystal tear is heavier than all others.
It is Mary, falling harder…
Enjoyed your two poems! “A Crystal Tear” really pulled me in with the details and the last line really touches with “like a first raindrop.” Gorgeous!
Thank you so much Tricia… 🙂
I agree with Laura. “A Crystal Tear” brings her to life.
Thank you Ken! 🙂
I love how you expanded the poem into a true narrative…
Thank you Bjorn! 🙂
Wowww! Love the reinterpretation of Li bai and your own poem 😀 such intricate and gorgeous imagery here especially; “rich silk gleams taut in her drawloom she carefully raises the brocade patterns learned as a child.”
Thank you Sanaa! 🙂
What a wonderfully rich picture you paint in A Crystal Tear. I loved reading it.
Thank you Marion… 🙂
Rob- so beautifully interpreted and re-told.
Thank you Linda… 🙂
Beautifully reinterpreted, Rob! I can feel those tears.
Thank you Sara… 🙂