Yuan Changming
My First & Last Love: for Qi Hong

You may well have heard the classic Chinese
Romance about Liang Shanbo & Zhu Yingtai

Who were not able to marry each other alive until
They transformed into two butterflies upon death

Or you have probably heard the famous music
At least known of it as the best love solo. Well

I do not really intend to recall, retell or re-enact
The way they overcame all the obstructions &

Fulfilled their love eventually as mating butterflies
But my innermost being has become integrated with

That of Qi Hong as we live together happily
Within or without matrimony, which is but

An open cage, made of various human constructs
From which one can actually fly out in freedom

*

As Far As Near: for Li Lan

You are as far as beyond the whole pacific
There’s no doubt about it

But when my thought cannot reach far enough
To grasp you in my hands
From Zhuhai
You come as near as within
The heart of my heart, where my selfhood
Cannot break off from you
Even for a single moment