Scarlet Flower

The East is Red at the Great Wall. My heart and soul yearningly-long For my Scarlet Flower all day long My love is magenta blood It burns with crimson flames. Scarlet, my beautiful beloved Your dark almond eyes Glow in tender purity and passion With balmy warmth and devotion. And we walk around ancient Xi’an Kuomintang General Chiang Kai-shek Was captured here in nineteen thirty six At the foot of the Hills of Lishan. Now the camera has another film roll And you pose for the picture where long ago Tang Emperor Xuanzong’s concubine Lady Yang Guifei used to stroll. The red buttons on your black garment Wink with joy in the park, enchanted At the white marble-sculpture: Backward leant Lady Yang Guifei steps out naked From the emerald pool Of the Huaqing hot springs. Scarlet, your ebony hair in chignon Adorns your delicate ivory skin Oh how graceful is your face, my love. In the afternoon-light the blue scarf Beneath your chin playfully converses With purple magnolia and red roses And golden chrysanthemums.