Junlado Maiden

Beneath sullied cloth, hastily covered chain of seashells nestled soundless, threads of an old story. Your eyes, beneath lashes that catch snow—I see the deep blue sea of Junlado, waves shining grey before the setting sun. What are you doing here in the frozen north? You came from seashores cherry blossoms raining upon your brown upturned face dreaming of another world, you beautiful fool. There is no other world when we all suffer beneath endless winter. Pity, a sweet face lined and streaked; I watch it as you pour wine. I, merely a wanderer in rags, as we all are. But I am strong, dear child. Let me not see those purest tears forming, unforming within sinless eyes— what are you doing here? Go back Go back to your land. Swim, there, forget, in the bluegrey Let joyful pearls make pure a salty sea. We all suffer, but you at least deserve to go back.