Gazing west in the wind, wrapped in melancholy thought—
Red knotweed, white reeds—a time to break one's heart.
The empty fence and old garden show no trace of autumn;
The thin moon and clear frost know my dreams.
Thought after thought follows the returning geese afar;
Desolate, I sit and listen to the evening fulling-block, entranced.
Who pities me, sick with longing for the yellow flower?
Comforting words: at Double Ninth, we shall meet again.
English titles, text, and notes are AI-assisted for reading only; for scholarship cite the Chinese and authoritative editions.
Annotation
From the Chrysanthemum Poetry gathering in Chapter 38, composed by Baochai (pen name: Lady of the Alpinia). Titled 'Remembering Chrysanthemums,' it uses autumn scenery to express longing for the flower. 'Sick with longing for the yellow flower' uses chrysanthemum as a metaphor for unfulfilled desire.
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