Qilin Lake

With a hundred kinds of tenderness
and a thousand sorts of elegance
like jade necklaces,
you glisten through mountains.

Qilin Lake,
“The lake of a demon”
discredited by the disgrace
of Dui A Qiong's curse,

Are you the devil incarnate
or the daughter of a goddess?
Your extensive water
outshines the azure sky.

You bespeckle the grassland
with liquid stars.
You strew nomadic life
with bright aerial tints.

You exist in the highland
with haunted grievances
conjuring up fond dreams.

*
* *

[Author’s note] Qilin Lake is sensuous,
yet its water is salt, unsuitable for drinking.