From the Inner Garden
- Poetry of Su Shi

邃院重帘何处，惹得多情，愁对风光。

睡起酒阑花谢，蝶乱蜂忙。

今夜何人，吹笙北岭，待月西厢。

空怅望处，一株红杏，斜倚低墙。

羞颜易变，傍人先觉，到处被着猜防。

谁信道，些儿恩爱。无限凄凉。

好事若无间阻，幽欢却是寻常。

一般滋味，就中香美，除是偷尝。

From the inner garden, behind curtains and drapes,

A little sweet poem was sent for a moon-night date.

But sth troubled her mind and seized her rosy face.

As the party was over, he came to her west chamber.

She had to have all doors closed to keep him at bay.

So close were the hearts, yet a thousand miles apart.

Most blossoms faded, leaving butterflies lost in dismay.

He played a melody on Sheng and she echoed in heart.

Growing over the low garden wall where he long gazed,

A blooming bough leaned over, the red apricot flowers.

Alas, shy love is often given away by the flushed cheeks

Trying to hide a burning fire of desire in a familiar street,-

Just a few shots for the thrilled joy between cold realities

Of long hours waiting in silent desolation and desperation.

An open love life plays safe with a dedicated company,

A routine ride on a known course for a known destination,

Free of worldly barriers, gradually free of tender romance.

Lovers taste buds often grow fervent on uncharted regions.

What marks a great taste of pleasure, tender and intense? -

The stolen ecstasy of erotic moments, secret and forbidden.