A Life Ago

Some twenty years before
In the warmth of spring
We met in a flower garden
In the heart of Beijing.

You sat with me
Underneath the orchid tree
I asked, “Remember when we were all so beautiful?”
And you said, “No, please tell me.”

I began to tell you the story
Of life many years ago
A history as old as ours
And soon you said, “I know.”

This was when we were teens
About sixteen or so
In the spring of 1986
Twenty years ago.