From the Winter 1983 literary issue of Bridge:



Two Voices for Li Shang-yin

John Yau



First Voice

Tonight, I would rather stay up than dream,

For I can no longer bear to meet you

In the only room we share.

And yet, I do not want to share

Myself with anyone but you,

Who left me imprisoned in a dream.



Second Voice

Your perfume still floats through the house.

If only you had been a ghost and kept your name.

If only you had been like the leaves

And drifted quickly past my house.

To the children I am an old and foolish man,

I talk to the shadows gliding through my house.