Ice Sculptures
Li Qi

Warm hearts
In bitter cold of the North
Carved these sculptures
That's why they are so beautiful

Suddenly I realize that
Through love and coaxing of this harsh cold
Even the frail water
Can stand up firm and strong
And in different forms and poses
Manifest the miracle of life.

When spring comes
They will melt
But they will not sigh in their retreat
For they have stood with pride,
Happily now they depart

Oh let the Northland
Make me into a sculpture too—
Into one innocent fawn,
Into a carefree little fish,
Into peacock or swallow
Though one day I would vanish
Let me vanish in the spring.