Chapter 2 2

11 My eyes watch sleeplessly; even if I do not see you, the gaze is still sweet. Hiding in the green shade of the rainy season, my heart looks forward to your love; even if love is taken away, hope is still sweet. People go their separate ways and leave me behind; even though I am all alone, it is sweet to hear your footsteps. The earth weaves autumn mists, and its brooding countenance awakens longing in my heart; and even when hopes fail, the pain it causes is sweet. 12 Heart, don't be discouraged, the day will break, the dawn will come. The seeds of promise, deeply rooted in the soil, will eventually germinate and emerge from the ground.Sleep, like a bud, will open its bosom to the light, and silence will speak at last.The burden will be rewarded, the suffering will light your way, the day is coming.

13 Evening is an auspicious time for marriage.At that time, the birds finished their last song, the wind rested on the sea, the sunset spread the carpet for the bridal chamber, and the lamp that never went out all night was ready to be lit. Behind the quiet night, the invisible comer is approaching step by step, and my heart trembles. The singing fell silent, for the wedding was to take place under the stars. 14 At night, all kinds of hustle and bustle are tired, and the sky is filled with the low hum of the sea. The erratic thoughts of the day return from their weary travels and rest around the lighted lamps.The play of love calmly turns to reverence, the streams of life flow into the sea, and the world of form finds its home in the bosom of beauty beyond all form.

15 Who is it that wakes alone when the earth sleeps, and the wind slumbers in the leafless forest? In the quiet bird's nest, in the closet of the buds, who hasn't fallen asleep?In the night sky where the stars twinkle and sway, in my deep pain, who is watching alone, not asleep? 16 You came to my door in the morning and sang loudly; I was angry that you broke my sleep, I ignored you, you went away. At noon, you came to ask me for water and interrupted my work. I rebuked you and drove you away. At dusk, you came with a burning torch, and you seemed to frighten me, and I shut the door tightly.

Now it is midnight, the lights are out, and I am sitting alone in the room, calling to you, who I have humiliatedly driven away, please come back. 17 Pick up my life from the dust. Put it in the palm of your right hand and gaze at it. Let it bathe in the sun, and shun the shadow of death; let it be the companion of the stars of the night sky, and let it bloom with the godly flowers till dawn. 18 I know that though life wanes in love, it is not quite forgotten.I know that though the flowers wither in the dawn, and the brook lost in the desert, they are not quite forgotten. I know that, though life has trudged along and been left behind, it has not been entirely forgotten.

I know that though my dreams have not yet come true, and my sweet music has not yet sounded, which haunt the strings of your lute, they are not quite forgotten. 19 It is the most annoying moment when the spring is thick, and you come to me with the sound of the flute and the flowers. You stir the ripples in my heart, set off waves, stir the red lotus of love.You invited me to come out and pursue the mystery of life with you.But I fell asleep to the rustling leaves in May. When I woke up, the sky was covered with dark clouds and the fallen leaves were blowing in the wind. In the sound of rushing rain, I heard your footsteps getting closer and closer, and heard you calling me out to pursue the mystery of death with you.

I walk up to you and put my hands in your palms, your eyes sparkle and water drips down your hair. 20 It was cloudy and rainy, and the sky was dark. Thunderbolts of anger shone through the shattered cloud. The forest is like a lion trapped in a cage, shaking its mane in despair. In this rainy day, when the wind is beating its wings again, let me find peace and quiet by your side. For, when a cloud of sorrow hangs over my solitary hut, your caresses that move my heart are all the more significant.