Red Rose

(I)

Last night the gale shook the trees. I climbed the tower alone, barely able to stand.

My clothes didn’t shrink, though my belt grew too loose. For her sake, I laughed until I couldn’t sleep.

I searched among the crowd a thousand times. When I looked back in a daze, there he was, still only half-baked.

(II)

Last night the west wind wouldn’t let up. I climbed the tower alone and almost lost my way.

My pockets were empty, but my heart was pure. For her sake, I drank until I was drunk.

I searched among the crowd a thousand times, then suddenly discovered that he was sleeping at the neighborhood office.

(III)

Last night the gale was terrifying. I climbed the tower alone and almost walked myself into a dead end.

My belt grew loose, like a starving ghost. For her sake, living was a damn exhausting business.

I bragged to the crowd a thousand times. Later I discovered that he was, after all, a complete idiot.

(IV)

Last night I walked into a tree and fainted alone, lying on Baiyi Road.

I lost all my clothes and hat. What a regret. For her sake, I made a complete mess of myself.

Everyone searched for me a thousand times, then suddenly discovered that we were all in the same boat, all poor and struggling.

(V)

Last night heavy snow weighed down the trees. I jumped from a building alone, but still landed softly.

I wouldn’t regret it even if my belt grew looser. For her sake, nothing mattered.

I tried to die a thousand times, failed every time, and flew into a rage, making a scene at the personnel office.

(VI)

Last night I found a crooked-neck tree. Alone, I was overcome with fear.

A belt is handy, so who cares who it’s for? For her sake, I was willing to become a hanged ghost.

I searched for him a thousand times, then suddenly discovered that he was hanging from the tree outside the door.