very quietly i take my leave
as quietly as i came here;
quietly i wave good-bye
to the rosy clouds in the western sky.
the golden willows by the riverside
are young brides in the setting sun;
their reflections on the shimmering waves
always linger in the depth of my heart.
the floatingheart growing in the sludge
sways leisurely under the water;
in the gentle waves of cambridge
i would be a water plant!
that pool under the shade of elm trees
holds not water but the rainbow from the sky;
shattered to pieces among the duckweeds
is the sediment of a rainbow-like dream?
to seek a dream? just to pole a boat upstream
to where the green grass is more verdant;
or to have the boat fully loaded with starlight
and sing aloud in the splendour of starlight.
but i cannot sing aloud
quietness is my farewell music;
even summer insects heep silence for me
silent is cambridge tonight!
very quietly i take my leave
as quietly as i came here;
gently i flick my sleeves
not even a wisp of cloud will i bring away