Cashmere

In response to Ezra Pound’s translation of Li Po’s “The river – Merchant’s Wife: A Letter”:

Cashmere

When my hair was short and unstyled

you stopped me

 asked why I was leaving

my cheeks matched your sweater

I said I was fine.

When purple eyeshadow never left my eyelids

you fascinated me

your loud tenor me

you smiled, and seemed to know me

once again, my cheeks matched your sweater

and I said I was just fine

When my hair was growing out

you said goodbye

two years is a long time

but not so long with correspondence

my cheeks no longer matched your sweater

I didn’t even try to say I was fine

Now, my hair is long and light

and you want me to send pictures

you’re coming home

two years was too long

 I’ve learned what you already knew

that when you’re near me, my cheeks will always match your sweater

and that, with you, I will never be just fine.