Hsu Chun-Ch'ien

Sitting Up with My Wife on New Year's Eve

So many delights the excitement has no end,
so much joy the cup is never still:
pluck a daddy longlegs out of the wine,
find a wild plum inside the dumpling!
The blinds swing open and wind lifts the curtain;
the candle burns low, its wick turned to ash.
No wonder the pins weigh heavy in your hair -
we've waited up so long for dawn light to come!

Beginning of Spring - A Stroll with My Wife

Hairdo and ornaments all the latest fashion,
your outfit strictly in the newest style;
the grass still short enough to poke through sandals,
the plums so fragrant their perfume rubs off!
Trees slant down to pluck at your brocade shawl,
breezes sidle up and get under your crimson kerchief -
Fill the cups with orchid blossom wine!
These are sights to make the spirit sing.