“Song of Everlasting Regret”/ poem by Susana H. Case

“Song of Everlasting Regret”

On the pavement, the old man paints 
part of the love poem
“Chang Hen Ge”

using water as ink, crouched 
with a calligraphy brush. 
Perhaps he does this to remember 

the poem, to stay alert, 
his hand steady, 
or to remind himself that love, 

like water on pavement, is clear, 
though temporary. His verses 
evaporate in the sun, 

and he re-wets his brush.
All over the plaza in Xian, 
old men do the same. 

The poem recounts the love 
between Tang Emperor Xuanzong 
and his favorite concubine, 

Yang Guifei, one of the four 
great beauties of ancient China. 
To resolve a rebellion, 

he agreed she should be strangled
by her white silk scarf, but cried 
while she breathed her last. 

He had her buried wrapped 
in purple blankets and became 
listless, until he began to visit

the Longevity Temple 
to communicate with her spirit
in that other world. 

What are the regrets of the bent
men painting with water? 
Shall I tell you mine? 

/////

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Susana H. Case is the author of nine books of poetry, most recently, If This Isn't Love, Broadstone Books (2023), and co-editor with Margo Taft Stever of I Wanna Be Loved by You: Poems on Marilyn Monroe, Milk & Cake Press (2022), Honorable Mention for the Eric Hoffer Book Award. The Scottish Café, Slapering Hol Press (2002) was re-released in English/Polish as Kawiarnia Szkocka (Opole University Press, 2010) and in English/Ukrainian as Шотландська Кав'ярня (Slapering Hol Press, 2024). Case is co-editor with Margo Taft Stever and Sandra Yannone of Unsinkable: Poetry Inspired by the Titanic, Salmon Poetry, 2026. https://susanahcase.com