In Which Corner Does Darling Mei Hide? Poem by Raj Arumugam

Where is little Mei while we sit here;
where’s the darling child while I sing?
What mountains does our little Mei climb?
To what corners does Mei travel?
Where is the treasure of our home
and where, O where is the pearl of our love?


Where is little Mei while I sing my song?
Why does she hide her pretty face while I strum?
The evening is cool and lovely
and yet, O why will not bright Mei
show her full moon face?
The air is still and pleasant -
and O why will little Mei not stand before us
and dance to the music of the lute?


The birds are quiet in the nest;
the chicks have followed mother hen home:
O why will not our little Mei break
the silence of the evening
with her merry laughter?
O why will lovely, lovely Mei not
hug and kiss
her lonely, lonely mom and dad?


Where is little Mei while we sit here
where’s the darling child while I sing?
In which corner does lovely Mei hide?
What oceans does brave Mei cross?
With which fairies does little Mei play?
And from which corner over bulky wood
Will she fly to our arms?





(above poem is inspired by a painting
by Tang Yin (Tang Baihu) 1470-1523)