Poems | Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung
--to the tune of Pu Suan Tzu
December 9, 1961
On reading Lu Yu's Ode to the Plum Blossom, I countered it with the following lines.
Wind and rain escorted Spring's departure,
Flying snow welcomes Spring's return.
On the ice-clad rock rising high and sheer
A flower blooms sweet and fair.
Sweet and fair, she craves not Spring for herself alone,
To be the harbinger of Spring she is content.
When the mountain flowers are in full bloom
She will smile mingling in their midst.
--to the tune of Pu Suan Tzu
Outside the post-house, beside the broken bridge, Alone,
deserted, a flower blooms.
Saddened by her solitude in the falling dusk,
She is now assailed by wind and rain.
Let other flowers be envious!
She craves not Spring for herself alone.
Her petals may be ground in the mud,
But her fragrance will endure.