The dragon's lair

A personal collection of verse

Self-Condolence for Wife's Death

Kim Sat Gat


Why did the encounter come so late?
Why did the parting happen so swift?
Grief was tasted before knowing delight.

The wine at her funeral was
The leftover at her wedding;
Her shroud was her wedding dress.

In the window front,
The small old-time peach blossomed;
Outside the blind,
A pair of swallows came to a new nest.

Whether she had virtue or not
Was asked to her mother;
She said, “My daughter had talent
And virtue, together.”

Self-Condolence for Wife's Death

Kim Sat Gat


Why did the encounter come so late?
Why did the parting happen so swift?
Grief was tasted before knowing delight.

The wine at her funeral was
The leftover at her wedding;
Her shroud was her wedding dress.

In the window front,
The small old-time peach blossomed;
Outside the blind,
A pair of swallows came to a new nest.

Whether she had virtue or not
Was asked to her mother;
She said, “My daughter had talent
And virtue, together.”