My melancholy had no place to go. Since I parted with my girlfriend, I have
received no letters from her. Even though I am skilful in solving the puzzle of
interlocking links, I am powerless when wind disperses, rain is stored away, and
only light fog and thin clouds remain 2. The Swallow Tower is vacant.
Dim dust blankets all the furniture and the bed is covered in spiders' webs. I
wish I could rearrange roots and leaves in the garden, but I see only the
red peonies that I planted when you were with me 3.
Fragrant grass starts to grow on the shoal. I suppose a boat is docked by the
winding shore. However, I am at the most remote corner of the Earth. I kept all
your love notes when we were together. I wish I could forget you by burning all
of them. Spring returns at this ferry crossing. I hope you will send me a plum
blossom from south of the Yangtze River. I will devote my life to shedding tears
for you as I gaze at wine and flowers.
1
The puzzle of interlocking links is a toy. It requires considerable
mathematical intelligence to solve the puzzle. The volume "Strategies of the
State of Qi" in the series, Strategies During the Warring States Period,
says, "King Zhao of the State of Qin sent a messenger to the Queen of Qi. The
messenger gave the queen the puzzle of interlocking jade links and said, 'There
are many wise people in Qi. Can they solve this puzzle?' The queen showed the
toy to her officials, but no one could solve the puzzle. The Queen then broke
the toy with an awl and told the messenger of Qin, 'I obeyed your command and
solved the puzzle.'"
2
This sentence means “I am clever enough to solve difficult mathematical
problems, but I am powerless in solving my emotional problems because they are
intangible.”
3 "Roots" refers to the poet's heart and "leaves" refers to his outlooks.
This sentence means "I try to change my thoughts and outlooks, but all I see is
the image of my girlfriend."