Yard Sale of Thoughts

This poem was written by  Li Zhiyi, a famous Chinese poet. By happy chance, I heard it for the first time yesterday, and now it will be with me always. Also known as “卜算子” (Bò suànzi), “Song of Divination” was likely crafted 900 years ago between 1048-1117.

It reminded me a touch of one of my own poem’s “Labor of Love.” I’ hadn’t seen it for a few years, and if you haven’t had the chance to read it, I’d be honored if you stopped by after taking in Li Zhiyi’s famous words.

I live upstream and you downstream,
From night to night of you I dream.
Unlike the stream you are not in view,
Though both we drink from River Blue.
When will the river no more flow？
When will my grief no more grow？
I wish your heart will be like mine，
Then not in vain for you I pine.

by Li Zhiyi

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Illustration by Frida Retana