"Farewell Again, Cambridge"

By Xu Zhimo

Very quietly I take my leave,

As quietly as I came here;

I wave my hand to the clouds in the west,

To bid farewell to the golden glow.

The willows by the riverside are brides in the sunset,

Their reflections dance in the gentle ripples;

In my heart, there lies no trace of sorrow,

For I have been touched by the grace of this land.

Gently I tap on the surface of the waves,

To wake the memories of the past;

A dream floats away like a water lily,

Drifting freely under the moonlight.

I am but a shadow now,

Fading into the twilight;

Yet my heart remains,

Forever bound to Cambridge.

This version captures the essence of the original Chinese poem while maintaining its emotional depth and lyrical beauty. The imagery of the willows, the golden sunset, and the flowing river reflects the serene and picturesque setting of Cambridge, which inspired the poet's nostalgia and longing.