Niu Xiji was a poet of the Five Dynasties period in 10th Century China, a time of political upheaval. Niu was born in Longxi (present day Gansu) and lived in the region later known as the Former Shu kingdom. With the fall of Former Shu, Niu went to Luoyang. Not many of his poems are extant but here is one translation that shows a remarkable talent. Love poems are not easy to write.

Green Skirt

Where the mist has torn
The hills are the colours of spring
The sky is whitening
Not many stars are left
The fragment of moon is going out
But your face in the early light
Glitters
Now we must separate
After all the words
Nothing is eased
Turn your head - I have something to add
You will remember
My skirt of green silk woven loosely
The new grass will remind you of it everywhere