Because Wei-gongzi smiled
at a red-robed stuttering boy, complimented
a lonely archer, defended him
to his contemptuous cousin,
Wen Ning, in return —

Took out of Lotus Pier
his brother and two bodies — three masters of Yunmeng Jiang;
rowed steadily, a river journey to Yiling;
pressed Wei Wuxian’s shoulders down
into wet mountain earth while he screamed and screamed
and Wen Ning’s sister reached inside, took one
brother apart to make the other whole;
walked up Carp Tower’s steps to trade his life
for all his kin, yes, but for Wei Wuxian;
told Jiang Cheng nothing;
told Jiang Cheng everything;
killed without mercy or awareness;
came awake when he spoke;
raged when he played;
calmed when he played;
fought viciously — an ancient goddess;
fought the dead — nameless corpses, Song Zichen, Nie Mingjue;
stopped fighting;
stayed close;
stayed away;
protected those he loved;
smiled, a little, too.