An Excuse For Not Returning the Visit of a Friend 

Do not be offended because
I am slow to go out.  You know
Me too well for that.  On my lap
I hold my little girl.  At my
Knees stands my handsome little son.
One has just begun to talk.
The other chatters without
Stopping.  They hang on my clothes
And follow my every step.
I can't get any farther
Than the door.  I am afraid
I will never make it to your house.
Credit

From Songs of Love, Moon, & Wind: Poems from the Chinese, translated by Kenneth Rexroth. From the original by Mei Yao-Ch'en. Copyright © 1971 by Kenneth Rexroth. Reprinted by permission of New Directions Publishing Corp. All rights reserved.