Snowman

I built a snowman
At your front door
To stand in my stead, waiting there
In all its stupidity

Then you buried your lollipop
Deep into its snowy heart
Saying this little sweetness
Would perk it up

The snowman did not smile
Did not make a sound
And then the bright spring sun
Melted him away...

Where is he now?
Where is that candied heart?
A bee buzzes
Beside the small puddle of tears

Copyright © 2005 by Gu Cheng and Joseph R. Allen. From Sea of Dreams: The Selected Writings of Gu Cheng. Reprinted with permission of New Directions Press.