Missing You

Taipei Poetry

Taken by Dorie Snow

I wrote this when I was still believing in love.

Missing You

I walk alone on humid streets,

each day something new, exciting.

I am happy among the beauty—

each corner an adventure.

I want to show you everything,

teach you the words:

Look—the trees, the flowers,

aunties in the alley calling,

“Have you eaten?"

I rush to the temple, copy scripture,

trace rubbings on the walls,

keep myself busy.

I wipe sweat from my face,

tears I try to hide.

Happy among dusty columns,

happy to chat with nodding monks,

happy to pray, to light incense—

yet still, I wish with all my heart

you were with me.

I watch this lone traveler

unfolding the poetry of ancients,

think the world should remember

the wisdom of the past.

Important work, important study—

the lessons of time demand focus.

I’ve done these things alone

so long—

dusting old books, studying wrinkled faces,

asking someone modern to listen.

They call; I must reply.

But I wish with all my heart

you were here by my side.

A contemplative hermit knows:

to study, one must climb

the hardest paths, trek

the deepest recesses of old idioms.

I crave these images, these words—

yet still, I don’t know how to say

the time will come to go again,

to record the lost words once more.

Each time I sing this song of goodbye,

my heart falters in resolve.

These paths take me far away,

yet every day I’ll think:

This sky—his eyes.

Your smile—in dreams

of younger ones holding hands.

And I’ll wish with all my heart

I had not left you behind.