Brush Strokes Bring Forth Spring

银毫起砚墨招

The silver-tipped brush is lifted the inkstone calls forth ink

素笺轻春衫薄

The plain paper is light the spring robe is thin

横扫峨嵋竖牵罗裙

A horizontal stroke sweeps her delicate brows;a vertical one traces her silk skirt

春尽梨花片片零落

When spring ends pear blossoms fall petal after petal

情字难书伊落纸上

The word "affection"is hard to write yet her image rests on the paper

一笔温柔一笔惆怅

One stroke holds tenderness another carries sorrow

凝咽顿笔晕开两行

Choked with emotion I pause;ink blurs into two lines

明折芙蓉暗粉蜂黄

Openly I paint hibiscus secretly tint with golden pollen hue

帘半落初燕聒

The curtain hangs half-drawn new swallows chatter

清露沉绣衾重

Fresh dewdrops settle the embroidered quilt feels heavy

撇洒秋波捺点幽兰

A "pie"(left-falling stroke)scatters her tender glances;a "na"(right-falling stroke)dots the quiet orchid

春带红妆任尔轻笑

In spring adorned with rouge I let you smile softly

情字难书伊落纸上

The word "affection"is hard to write yet her image rests on the paper

一笔温柔一笔惆怅

One stroke holds tenderness another carries sorrow

凝咽顿笔晕开两行

Choked with emotion I pause;ink blurs into two lines

明折芙蓉暗粉蜂黄

Openly I paint hibiscus secretly tint with golden pollen hue

一点如萤一点知春

One dot shines like a firefly another knows spring’s arrival

欲写还休月色潇湘

Wanting to write yet holding back—under the moonlight over Xiao and Xiang Rivers