My Husband’s Eyes

 
Quan Deyu (759 – 818)
 
 
Last night I left my skirt and belt undone,
This morning now a lucky spider flies;
I start to gather scents and makeup quick
For soon I think I’ll see my husband’s eyes.
 
 

Chinese	Pronunciation
玉臺體	Yù Tái Tǐ
權德輿	Quán Déyú
昨夜裙帶解	Zuó yè qún dài jiě
今朝蟢子飛	Jīn zhāo xǐ zǐ fēi
鉛華不可棄	Qiān huá bú kě qì
莫是藁砧歸	Mò shì gǎo zhēn guī

 
 
Transliteration and Notes
 
Jade Tower Style
 
Last night skirt belt undone
This morning spider offspring flies
Plumbum flower not able discard
Cannot be wood stone return
 
“Jade Tower Style” = the name of this style of poetry. “Plumbum flower” = cosmetic powder. “Spider offspring” = small spiders with long legs, considered a lucky omen. “Wood stone” = husband.
 
This poem is written from the perspective of a woman whose husband is away. She longs for him and loosens the girdle around her dress at night. In the morning she sees a lucky spider and takes it as an omen that her husband will return soon, so she quickly gathers her makeup to get ready and look beautiful for him.