To The Tune: &Quot; Immortals' Lucky Crane&Quot; Poem by Xin Qiji

 Plum blossoms

wild goose weather
heavy frost
chill seeps through the window screen
light protective clouds
veil the moon
new-formed ice is fragile
mirrored in the rushing stream
her hair seems combed
no need for scent or powder
that frail snow-white complexion
set off by ripples
in her blouse of dragon-silk
leaning on the east wind
one glimmer of her gracious smile
ten thousand lesser blossoms tumble
cold and lonely
where is home -
a garden after snow?
a lakeside tower?
for a tryst at Jade Lake
who can she trust
to be her messenger?
white butterflies know only
to search for peach and willow trees
southern branches in full bloom
won't understand
so sorrow comes once more
with the chill of evening
to echoing bugle calls