Moonlit Night

Tonight my wife must watch alone

    the full moon over Fu-zhou;

I think sadly of my sons and daughters far away,

too young to understand this separation

or remember our life in Chang'an.

In fragrant mist, her flowing hair is damp;

In clear moonlight, her jade-white arms are cold.

When will we lean at the open casement together

while the moonlight dries our shining tears?

**

Moonlit Night

In Fuzhou, far away, my wife is watching

The moon alone tonight, and my thoughts fill

With sadness for my children, who can’t think

Of me here in Changan: they’re too young still.

Her cloud-soft hair is moist with fragrant mist.

In the clear light her white arms sense the chill.

When will we feel the moonlight dry our tears,

Leaning together on the windowsill.