On the Trail of Sweet

A deep gloom broods over Heaven and Earth.

In the rank grass crickets are chirping,

And parasol-trees, startled, let fall their leaves.

Clouds for stairs, the moon for floor,

To Heaven the way is blocked by a thousand barriers,

And floating rafts ply to and fro

To no avail.

On this night magpies form a star bridge to span the Milky Way,

Where Cowboy and Weaving Maid keep their yearly tryst.

Endleas must be their murmurings of love and regret

After long separation!

But whence these sudden changes

Of sun and rain and wind

In the midst of their love-making?

Can it be that they are taking leave of each other

At this vexy moment?