Oh my daughter

How she has grown

Into a delightful young lady

Sitting here,

Preparing the tea

That would be used later

I cannot imagine having to marry her off

May the man that I give her to,

Love her with all he has.

Like this tea cup,

May his feelings ever be warm for her.

When he offers me the tea,

May he realise my love for my daughter.

That he should protect her,

With all that he has, for eternity.

And when I accept his tea,

She too will learn to cherish him.

Like this precious tea,

May their love always be.

 

This poem is about a father marrying his daughter off in the tang dynasty during a tea ceremony.