After Zu Ye Midnight Songs

After Zu Ye Midnight Songs 
(317–589, Southern Dynasties)

I’m teaching in Tainan
And you working two soul-sucking jobs            
In Temecula
When you hold me in your strong arms
The river stops flowing

*

I have moved my pillow near yours
Let’s come together and play 
No future. No past
Kissing, biting, praying to different gods

*

I toweled my hair 
Wiped off my makeup
Smoked a few Kools
Near the southern window
If my robe blows open 
I’ll blame the breeze

*

He comes to me my soul, my love
Then vanishes with the setting sun
I look away and his voice has changed
From tenderness to cruel mockery
And we are done

*

cherry blossoms
fallen on my path
cherry blossoms
on his slender body
cherry blossoms
from a quaint haiku
sometimes blossoms
are just blossoms
not a death sutra