A Layered Poem

interpretive translation

Left alone here I can’t think straight

Your journey takes time And letters too scarce

My mind is nowhere near Although I sit right here

Sad are my combs and towels Even my fans and bracelets

A bell sings my house out of sleep As the moon climbs the gazebo

By my side are but pillows and dreams Clouds, why go now and so far away

Every day is just one more day to count At dawn I open your letters and weep

syllabic translation

Left Torn

Apart In wait

Mind’s with you Body here

Sad combs and rags Fans and bangles

At night a bell rings Moonrise at the pond

Lonely pillows and dreams Clouds too go far away

Counting days, no end in sight I shed tears reading letters

literal translation

Leave Think

RoadFar LettersDelayed

MindExistThere BodyStayHere

TowelCombExistentAgony FanBraceletNonexistentPromise

FragranceHouseBellChirpNight PracticeGazeboMoonAboveTime

DependLonelyPillowHeedRemainingDream WishReturnCloudDeploreFarLeave

DayWaitBeautifulPromiseAgonyCrookPoint DawnOpenLoveLetterCrySupportChin