Ode 2

While candles of Shanghai gleamed on Sang her one hero, destiny's passionate orison Whence melodious chimes proclaim bleakest day With those thick lotus-blooms the Winter winds play In Empress Wu Ze Tian's unique coronet she weareth An ancient satue in her arms she beareth With her low, tender gesture of mystery She telleth Gorbachev the unrequited history The deep weather, and nuns singing, and butterflies flying We have painted a dock that is not for Love's throwing And interested in white horses with a royal wage And we have passed by the patriotic heritage Touched stars, jewels and cheeks, all those are ended Slumber and waking, adored, vanished proudly friended No mockeries now for students; no prayers nor bells Nor any sound of evening lead the Wagnerian choirs