The Tenth Moon (by Li He)

This poem for the Tenth Moon finds the world in an unsettled state, half frozen, the shadows dancing, approaching its perigee, the Cold Moon strains to reach for the Yin extremity.

The water won’t pour from

The jade vase’s slender silver spout

The hanging lantern casts its shadow and light

Playing hide and seek with the night

Frost broken and scattered and dancing

Is spread like a canopy across the lawn

Two rows of candles in their wicker baskets

Shine outside the lady’s chamber

Behind the pearl screen she lies

Troubled and unable to sleep

The gold phoenix has been pricked by a thorn

Not even the bedclothes will keep her warm

Long eyebrows so perfectly matched

The moon strains to reach its fullness 

十月

李贺

玉壶银箭稍难倾   

釭花夜笑凝幽明

碎霜斜舞上罗幕   

烛龙两行照飞阁

珠帷怨卧不成眠   

金凤刺衣著体寒

长眉对月斗弯环