Beside A Chrysanthemum

to bring one chrysanthemum 
to flower, the cuckoo has cried 
since spring.

to bring one chrysanthemum to bloom
thunder has rolled 
through the black clouds.

flower, like my sister returning 
from distant youthful byways
of throat-tight longing
to stand by the mirror:

for your yellow petals to open
last night such a frost fell
and I did not sleep.  

Sō Chōngju