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2025

05/2025


孔绍安 Kong Shao-An (577-622)

落叶 Fallen leaves


早秋惊落叶

飘零似客心

翻飞未肯下

犹言惜故林


Suddenly automne

Float the fallen leaves

Refusing the soil

Forest in the heart


04/2025


零落桐诗

Poem for a dead paulownia / Poème pour un paulownia mort


零落三秋千

摧残百尺柯

空馀半心在

生意渐无多


Late automne season

Dead leaves, broken woods

Vain remains of trunk

Hardly alive


03/2025


王谊 Wang Yi (540-585)


画梅 Hua Mei

Drawing a plum tree


扬州诗阁掩芳尘

万萼千葩冷照春

十里珠帘一声笛

东风肠断倚楼人


Yang Zhou, dusty writing room

Thousand new blooms, a cold Spring

Flute music reaches the curtains 

At the window, east wind 


02/2025


江总 Jiang Zong (519-594)

长安九日诗

Nine days in the city of Chang An 


心逐南云逝

Mind runs south with clouds

形随北雁来

Body followed northern goose 

故乡篱下菊

Mums of home garden

今日几花开

How many flowers today?


01/2025


登永嘉绿嶂山诗

Hiking the Green Mountains in Yong Jia area

 

谢灵云 Xie Ling-Yun(385-433)


裹粮杖轻策,

怀迟上幽室。

行源径转远,

距陆情未毕。

澹潋结寒姿,

团栾润霜质。

涧委水屡迷,

林迥岩逾密。

眷西谓初月,

顾东疑落日。

践夕奄昏曙,

蔽翳皆周悉。

蛊上贵不事,

履二美贞吉。

幽人常坦步,

高尚邈难匹。

颐阿竟何端,

寂寂寄抱一。

恬如既已交,

缮性自此出。


With foods and light stick

On road to my retreat

Following the stream

Till its end, delighted

Cold feeling in waves

Frost on bamboo leaves

The water makes turns

Dense forest, heavy rocks

Twight east and west

New moon at sunset

When the day past

I learned my journey

Even appointed

I cling to values

Even peace in mind

insufficient pure

All seems to differ

Hoping there is ONE

Wisdom meets the quiet

Nourished nature




2024

December 2024


折杨柳行

谢灵云 Xie Ling-Yun


骚屑出穴风。

挥霍见日雪。

飕飕无久摇。

皎皎几时洁。

未觉泮春冰。

已复谢秋节。

空对尺素迁。

独视寸阴灭。

否桑未易系。

泰茅难重拔。

桑茅迭生运。

语默寄前哲。


Walking with a broken willow branch*


Strong winds from the caves

Whistle over the snow

Winds will stop to blow

Snow not pure for long

Ice hardly melted

Autumn already

The hour hand is moving

The light is dying

Misfortune doesn’t stay

Peace might not return

Times turn endlessly

Silence, a wisdom


Note: “Broken willow branch” is the name of a song music, usually to express a sad farewell. In Ancient time poets often composed verses to fit into a specific music formula. 



November 2024


读书斋诗

Poem about my readingroom

谢灵云 385-433


春事时已歇。

池塘旷幽寻。

残红被径隧。

初绿杂浅深。

偃仰倦芳褥。

频步忧新阴。

谋春不及竟。

夏物遽见侵。


End of Spring time

A quiet and secret pound 

Flowers on stone trail

Old and new greens

Rest on fresh linens

Shadowed walkway

Past season still there

Suddenly summer


October 2024


石壁精舍还湖中作

Returning from my mountain writing room through the lake

谢灵运(385年—433年)


昏旦变气候,

山水含清晖。

清晖能娱人,

游子憺忘归。

出谷日尚早,

入舟阳已微。

林壑敛暝色,

云霞收夕霏。

芰荷迭映蔚,

蒲稗相因依。

披拂趋南径,

愉悦偃东扉。

虑澹物自轻,

意惬理无违。

寄言摄生客,

试用此道推。


Changes at dust and dawn

Mountain and water

So clear and pure lights

Enchant travellers

Early departure

On boat at sunset

Shadowed forest


And colorful clouds

Lotus with Rhombus

Cattails nearby wheats

From a southern trail

Admire eastern homes

Worriless, few needs

Content and in ease

To care about the health

Here might be a route


September 2024


直中书省诗* 

Poem when working in the royal office

谢朓 (464-499)


紫殿肃阴阴。

彤庭赫弘敞。

风动万年枝。

日华承露掌。

玲珑结绮钱。

深沈映朱网。

红药当阶翻。

苍苔依砌上。

兹言翔凤池。

鸣佩多清响。

信美非吾室。

中园思偃仰。

册情以郁陶。

春物方骀荡。

安得凌风翰。

聊恣山泉赏。


This solemn palace 

Large and bright hall

Wind through ancient trees

Penzai under the sun

Net shaped curtains

Nicely embroidered

Front yard peony 

Mosse on the steps

Near the Phoenix Pond

Mandarins pass by

In vain this beauty

Not a home to rest

Missing my friends

And the Spring world

How to gain my wings

To fly to maintains


Note: 中书省: Royal secretary office


August 2024


《之宣城郡出新林浦向板桥》南北朝·谢朓 (464-499)*

“From Xuancheng county through Xinling floating bridge to Banqiao region near Jian Kang city”


江路西南永,

归流东北骛。

天际识归舟,

云中辨江树。

旅思倦摇摇,

孤游昔已屡。

既欢怀禄情,

复协沧洲趣。

嚣尘自兹隔,

赏心于此遇。

虽无玄豹姿,

终隐南山雾。


Journey against the current

That Runs towards the sea

Returning boats at horizon

Waterfront trees through clouds

Penniless lonely traveler

With wondering thoughts

Missing elegant society

Dreaming eremite charm

By serving only in province

Dustless joy can be found

Even though less wild as mountain leopard 

Merged into the foggy southern mountains


Note : The poet thought having found a compromise by accepting a position away from the capital city, therefore from the center of powers.


July 2024


《王孙游》·谢朓 (464-499)

“The Prince travelling afar”


绿草蔓如丝,

杂树红英发。

无论君不归,

君归芳已歇。


Grass fine as silk carpet

Flowers on various trees

The spring is thus ending

Even if you could return


June 2024


《咏檐前竹诗》南北朝·沈约 (441-513)


萌开箨已垂,

结叶始成枝。

繁荫上蓊茸,

促节下离离。

风动露滴沥,

月照影参差*。

得生君户牖,

不愿夹华池。


"Song about bamboos in the front yard"


From dead enveloppe

Young branches with leaves

Cooling the front roof

A forested yard

Drips from windy night

Uneven moon light

Far from flowering lac

At a humble home


*Note: the verses 3-6 forms two parallels, each with different syntax. Rimed mostly with "i".


May 2024


嵇康 Ji Kang(223-263)


凌扶摇兮憩瀛洲。

要列子兮为好仇。

餐沆瀣兮带朝霞。

眇翩翩兮薄天游。

齐万物兮超自得。

委性命兮任去留。


Flying high, o ancestor, ending in Ying mountains

Traveling with wind, o famous bandit, invited lovingly

Drinking dew, o, wearing morning haze

Graceful dance, o, free moves in the sky

All matters equal, o, in ease here above

Obeying to the divine rules, o, be it remaining or going


April 2024


许询 Xu Xun 


《竹扇诗》Fan of Bamboo


良工眇方林,

妙思触物骋。

篾疑秋蝉翼,

团取望舒景。


Bamboos full of mind  

Inspiring touches

Through cicada wings

A shadow of moon  


March 2024


 兰亭诗集 Collection from Blue Pavalion


谢安 (320 - 385)


相与欣佳节,

率尔同褰裳。

薄云罗阳景,

微风翼轻航。

醇醪陶丹府,

兀若游羲唐。

万殊混一理,

安复觉彭殇。


Joyful gathering

Dressed with ease

Sunlight through thin clouds

Slowly birds flying

Perfume of wines

Timeless are minds

All is within One

Death and life are same 


******************************************

February 2024


读山海经,其十


精卫衔微木,

将以填沧海。

刑天舞干戚,

猛志固常在。

同物既无虑,

化去不复悔。

徒设在昔心,

良辰讵可待!


Nu Wa’s Branches and stones

To fill the vast sea. (1)

With his shield and axe

Xing Tian’s will remains. (2)

Past passions in vain

Timing is over

Equal with the whole

Willing to be gone


Notes

1) Story about the legendary king Yan 炎帝’s. daughter 女娃 Nu Wa. She was draundedxxx when swimming in the eastern sea,then she became a giant bird that picks up branches and stones to fill the sea.

2) Story about god Xing Tian 刑天.He was killed by the king and buried in the mountain of Eternal Goat 常羊山。But the legend says he was still dancing with his shield and axe.


***********************************************************


January 2024


杂诗 - 其十


闲居执荡志

时驶不可稽。

驱役无停息,

轩裳逝东崖。

沉阴拟薰麝,

悲风激我怀。

岁月有常御,

我来淹已弥。

慷慨忆绸缪,

此情久已离。

荏苒经十载,

暂为人所羁。

庭宇翳馀木,

倏忽日月亏。

  

Big dreams when resting

Time just kept flowing

Missions to missions

Till the east river

Dark days had nice smoke

Winds cheered the spirit

But years should run on

I quitted for long

Oxxx past attachments

All begone since long

A decade wasted

Within others’ net

Garden tree grown up

My youth shade away




2023

December 2023


饮酒- 其十七


幽兰生前庭

含熏待清风

清风脱然至

见别萧艾中

行行失故路

任道或能通

觉悟当念还

鸟尽弃良弓


Wine - XVII


Fragrant orchards 

In the deep garden

Distinguished by

A sudden fresh wind 

Lost was the old road

Free walk to way out

Return awaken

Useless bow, birds gone


Nov 2023


归田园居 其三


种豆南山下

草盛豆苗稀

晨兴理荒秽

带月荷锄归

道狭草木长

夕露沾我衣

衣沾不足惜

但使愿无违


Return to land III


South Mountain soya 

High grass few seedlings*

Rise early to weed

Return at moonlight

Wildly narrow path

Night dew wet my clothes

Wetness isn't problem

Unaltered my plans


Notes:


* The Five syllables form is very free grammatically. Almost every verse in this poem has different structure. In this pair, the original composition is as following:

- verb / noum / adverb about place

- noum / adjectif as verb / noum / adjectif as verb


October 2023


饮酒-其四


秋菊有佳色 (1)

邑(三点水 yi)露掇其英

泛此忘忧物

远我遗世情

一觞虽独尽

杯尽壶自倾

日入群动息

归鸟趋林鸣

啸傲东轩下

了复得此身


Wines, IV


Bright mums in autumne*

Full of dew when picked

Soaked in wine such drink

Away from the world

Pot emptied alone

Cup filled again

All rest at sunset

Noisy birds return

Singing at east window

This new free life


Note*

菊,mum (chrysanthemum,word abbreviated in 1915 in the jargon of gardeners), one of the four plants considered throughout the history as noblest in China: 梅(plum flowers), 兰 (orchid),竹(bambu),菊。


September 2023


陶渊明 


归园田居 - 其一


少无适俗韵

性本爱丘山

误入尘网中

一去三十年

羁鸟念旧林

池鱼思故源(1)

开荒南野际

守拙归园田

方宅十余亩

草屋八九间 (2)

榆柳荫后檐

桃李罗堂前

暖暖远人村

依依墟里烟(3)

狗吠深巷中

鸡鸣桑树颠

户庭无杂尘

虚室有余闲(4)

久在樊笼里

复得返自然


Translation


"Return to land, I"

Uneasy to conform

But fond of mountains

Fallen in dusty nets

Thirty years are gone

Kept birds dream forest

Pond fishes miss the source(1)

Working southern land

Keeping the true self

About two acres 

A few simple rooms(2)

Elm leaves touch back roof

Peach tree at front door

Vaguely villege afar

Softly cooking smoke rises(3)

Dogs heard from deep allays

Cocks sing under mulberries

Dustless our doorway

Leisuring empty home(4)

Caged life for too long

Back now to nature


Notes:


Within a "five syllables poem 五言诗",there is numerous possibilities of combination, and absolute freedom to arrange word orders, creating various rythmes: verbs and subjects are often only implied, adjectives or adverbes could play the role of verb. 

I included Pinyin to show the rimes, although the keybord does not allow to indicate the tones that are also an important part of the game.

Most of the aesthetic figures are difficult to translate. I therefore try to indicate below. 


1) While most of the verses are at least partially parallelled, In this pair of verses, every word, from noums to verbs, in the upper verse is orderly related to the one in the lower verse.

(2) Parallel of numbers

3) "Double words" 暖暖 and 依依in this pair describe both the movements and their manners. 

(4) Parallel with opposites 有 have and 无 have not


Auguest 2023


 孔融 Kong Rong  (151-208),  


六言诗 (poem with six syllables)


郭李纷争为非

guo li feng zheng wei fei

迁都长安思归

qian du chang an si gui

瞻望关东可哀

zhan wang guan dong ke ai

梦想曹公归来

meng xiang Cao gong gui lai


Translation


Tumults by Guo and Li

Unlivable Chang An

Devastated Eastern land

Dream for Sir Cao's return


July 2023


 陈琳 Chen Lin(?-217), 


沉沦众庶间

chen lun zong shu jian

与世无有殊

yu shi wu you shu

纡郁怀伤结

yu yu huai shang jie

舒展有何由

shu zhan you he you


Translation


Fallen in the crowd

No more distinction

Holding wound and scars

No chance to relax 



June 2023


Wang Can 王粲 (177-217)


Seven sadnesses* (part II)


Jing Zhou** not my home

Why should I stay long

Square boat in river

A sudden sunset 

Dusk on high mountains

Roches double their shadow

Foxes run to their holes

Birds fly to forest

Sounds of waves are loud

Monkeys' cry ashore

Strong winds raised my sleeves

Frost wetted my robe 

Sleepless night alone

Fingers cross guitar

Strings have feelings

How sad is the air

My endless journey

And heavy worries


七哀诗* (其二)


荆蛮非我乡**

jing man fei wo xiang

何为久滞淫

he wei jiu zhi yin

方舟诉大江

fang zhou shu da jiang

日暮愁我心

ri mu chou wo xin

山冈有余映

shan gang you yu ying

岩阿增重阴

yan a zeng chong yin

狐狸驰赴穴

hu li chi fu xue

飞鸟翔故林

fei niao xiang gu lin

流波激清响

liu bo ji qing xiang

猴猿临岸吟

hou yuan lin an yin

迅风扶裳袂

xun feng fu shang mei

白露沾衣襟

bai lu zhan yi jin

独夜不能寐

du ye bu neng mei

摄衣起拂琴

she yi qi fu qing

丝桐感人情

si tong gan ren qin

为我发悲音

wei wo fa bei yin

羁旅无终极

ji lu wu zhong ji

忧思壮难任

you si zhang nan ren


Notes:


*七哀, name of a musical air, and a poetical form from Yue Fu Ge Ci 乐府歌辞

**City of Jing Zhou 荆州 was considered as a still wild place.


May 2023


Jie Yu Pian 吁嗟篇(1)

By 曹植 Cao Zhi


As a fleabane flower

How hard to exist

Out of the main plant

Restless day and night

So many roads crossed(2)

And those dead fields

Sudden turning wind 

Blowed me to clouds

Sky thought to be home

But here I plunged 

A storm carried me 

Back onto my land

Unable to say

Where I could go

Floating in wonder

Up and down

Many lacs covered

and summits reached

Such endless journey

Who knows the fatigue

Let me be forest grass

Burned in automne fire

Let me bear the pain 

When rejoining roots


Translator's  notes:


(1) Poem following a form of 乐府歌辞 Yue Fu Ge Ci (see previous years' presentations in this site) "Ku Han Xing 苦寒行". 吁嗟: sigh


(2) parallel in two verses: 

- 东西 / 南北 (from east to west / from south to north = meaning "everywhere")

- 经 / 越 (verbs: pass by / cross)

- 七 / 九 (numbers, meaning "numerous")

- 佰 / 阡 (nouns: road and field)



吁嗟篇

曹植〔两汉〕



吁嗟此转蓬,

yu jie ci zhuan peng

居世何独然。

ju shi he du rAN
长去本根逝,

chang qu ben geng si

夙夜无休闲。

shu ye wu xiu xiAN
东西经七陌,

dong xi jing qi mo

南北越九阡。

nan bei yue jiu qiAN
卒遇回风起,

zhu yu hui fen qi

吹我入云间。

cui wo ru yun jiAN
自谓终天路,

zi wei zong tian lu

忽然下沉渊。

hu ran xia cheng yuAN
惊飙接我出,

jing biao jie wo chu

故归彼中田。

gu gui bi zhong tiAN
当南而更北,

dang nan er gen bei

谓东而反西。

wei dong er fan xi
宕宕当何依,

dàng dàng dang he yi

忽亡而复存。

hu wang er fu cun
飘飖周八泽,

piao yao zhou ba ze

连翩历五山。

lian pian li wu shAN
流转无恒处,

liu zhuan wu heng chu

谁知吾苦艰。

shei zhi wu ku jiAN
愿为中林草,

yuan wei zhong ling cao

秋随野火燔。

qiu sui ye huo fAN
糜灭岂不痛,

mi mie qi bu tong

愿与根荄连。

yuan yi gen gai liAN
 






April 2023


曹植


For Mr Ying (Part I)*


Climbing to Bei Mang

Look at Mont Luo Yang

Once lonely city

Palaces all burned off

Broken walls everywhere

Trees touching the sky

No old acquaintances

There's only new youth

No road to put feet

in abandoned fields

Away for too long

Lost when returning

Devasted inner land

with no sign of life

Thinking of the dear ones

I am speechless

Rare are prosperous time

joy of gathering

Infinite is world

Morning dew is fate

Best wishes to my friend

Safe journey to north

Meet in Luo Yang now

Best wine is prepared

Is the banquet poor?

Cups are not emptied.

Difficult farewell

How languishing to me

Mountains and rivers

will stand between us

I would like to fly

together like birds


Note: 

Luo Yang 洛阳 city was once burned to zero, the poet was recalling that fall, writing from the newly rebuilt, seemingly still prosperous capital. But he also described the rapid decline of his family's ruling, after travelling in the country.


Version originale avec pinyin (note about the pronounciation and rhyme)


送应氏 (其一)


步登北邙阪,

bù deng bei mang bAN

遥望洛阳山。

yao wàng luo yang shAN


洛阳何寂寞,

luo yang he ji mò

宫室尽烧焚。

gong shi jìn shao wen


垣墙皆顿擗,

huan qiang jie dun piAN

荆棘上参天。

ji jin shang can tiAN


不见旧耆老,

bu jian jiu lao lao

但睹新少年。

dàn du xin shào niAN


侧足无行径,

cè zhu wu xing jing

荒畴不复田。

huang chou bu fù tiAN


游子久不归,

you zi jiu bù gui

不识陌与阡。

bu shi mo yi qiAN


中野何萧条,

zhong ye he xiao tiao

千里无人烟。

qian li wu ren yAN


念我平常居,

niàn wo ping chang jù

气结不能言。

qi jie bù neng yAN


清时难屡得,

qing shi nan lu de

嘉会不可常。

jià huì bu ke chANG


天地无终极,

tian dì wu zong ji

人命若朝霜。

ren mìng ruo zhao shuANG


愿得展嬿婉,

yuan de zhan xian wAN

我友之朔方。

wo you zhi shùo fANG


亲昵并集送,

qing nè bìng ji sòng

置酒此河阳。

zhì jiu ci he yANG


中馈岂独薄?

zhong kui qi du bo?

宾饮不尽觞。

ben yin bu jìn shANG


爱至望苦深,

ai zhì wang ku sheng

岂不愧中肠?

qi bù kui zhong chANG


山川阻且远,

shan cuan zhu qie yuan

别促会日长。

bie cu hui ri chANG


愿为比翼鸟,

yuàn wei bi yi niao

施翮起高翔。

si yu qi gao xiANG 



March 2023


曹植 Cao Zhi (L'an 192-232)


Miscellaneous Poems (2)*


Rootless poncho grasse

Floating in the air

Sudden hurricane

Brought it into clouds

That celestial road

Is never ending

Like a grass he is

Blowed far to the front

Wearing gross cotton

Eating wild leaves

But no more complain

That'll make me older


Note: 

Cao Zhi was the forth son of Cao Cao, king of Wei. He was the preferred child, Cao Cao even considered him as successor, so he sent him to war to "harden his wings". But Cao Zhi liked more his wine than the power. When the eldest son Cao Pi became king, Cao Zhi was sent far away from the capital center.


杂诗其二 (曹植)


转蓬离本根,

zhuan pen li ben gEN

飘飖随长风。

piao piao shui chang fEN
何意回飚举,

he yi hui yan ju

吹我入云中。

chui wo ru yun zhong
高高上无极,

gao gao shang wu ji

天路安可穷。

tian lu an ke qiONG
类此游客子,

lei ci you ke zi

捐躯远从戎。

juan qu yuan cong rÒNG
毛褐不掩形,

mao he bu yan xing

薇藿常不充。

hei lei chang bu cONG
去去莫复道,

qu qu mu fu dAO

沉忧令人老。

cheng you ling ren lAO
 


February 2023


Visiting the Lac Xuan Wu, by 曹丕 Cao Pi (187-226)


Hang out with brothers

Driving till city gate

Wild fields worked out with

Irrigation lines

How well grown the plants

Water runs within

With chestnuts, rice and

Cotten rose flowers

Row of bambou greens

Lightly surround the lac 

Small boat, distant land

Concert of birds songs

The wind disturbing

Lemna and algae

Worries gone in this

Eternal scenery



January 2023


A difficult journey “苦寒行” 


By Cao Cao 曹操 (155-220)

The title of the poem was from "Yue Fu Ge Ci 乐府歌辞 Collection of songs and poems by the Musique House". Like lots of poets of his time, he wrote about the new in a form of the old. 


The Mountains Tai Hang

How impressing(1)!

Narrow, uneven,

Broken wheels on road

Chilly forest sounds

Under northern wind

In front bears sitting

Nearby tigers cry

Rare men in valleys

Heavy snow flying (2)

Long sigh, many thoughts

On this long journey

How much longing for

The day of return

Deep water no bridge

Stucken, wandering

Confused directions

Where to rest at dusk

Away the day shying

Hungry men and horses

The branches picking

Rice cooked with ice

That poem "East Mountains"(3)

Sadly in my ears (4)


Note:


巍巍, a double (repeated) word 叠词,both adverb and adjectif, to describe visually and musically a state of mind, a movement, etc. A figure often seen in early popular songs collected in "Yue Fu Ge Ci 乐府歌辞", then frequently used by poets, and also in daily language, till today. Very difficult to fully translate this into western languages.


(2)  霏霏, another 叠词,to describe the way heavy snow flies and falls


(3) 《东山》, title of a poem made by the keen of Zhou on his way of return from a lasting conquest. This is an exemple of evoking and condensing a reference 典故 into a word, its use amplifies the content of a short poem. 

A considerable part of Chinese vocabulary is made of such references, called 成语 cheng yu, idiomatic expressions, words coming from references commonly acknowledged such as stories, events, names, quotes, titles of books, famous verses, etc..


(4)  悠悠, another 叠词, usually to describe a melody or a slow movement or a romantic state of mind, somehow lasting but not always obvious





December 2022


“古诗十九首” “The nineteen old poems" 18


From afar he sent 

Embroidered silk piece

Ten thousands of miles

Still old days' feelings

Yuan yang on the fabric*

Sewed into a quilt

Long brocade inside

With solid closure

When we make our mind

Who could divide us?


Note:


Yuanyang is a delicate bird symbolizing lasting love. The English dictionary calls it "mandarin duck". I decide not to translate, because of the sacred nature of the word.


19)


Under the clear moon

Songs of crickets

A sky full of stars

Alioth at Meng Dong (1)

White frost over grass

A whole new season

Cicada on trees

Xuan Niao fly away (2)

My old colleagues

Rosen to high clouds

Friendship forgotten

Reduced to traces

Nan Ji and Bei Dou (3)

Powerless is Qian Niu (4)

No stone relations

How vain is the fame?



Note:


Meng Dong 孟东, also called Li Dong 立冬, one of 24 solar terms, the first month of the winter, in the traditional calendar.


(2)  Xuan Niao 玄鸟, also called Yan Zi 燕子, legendary divine bird appearing frequently in literature and paintings through out of the history. The English dictionary names it as "swallow". I decide not to translate.


(3) Nan Ji 南箕, stars position indicating troubles caused by rumours; Bei Dou 北斗,stars position indicating fights and death, according to Taoists.


(4) Qian Niu 牵牛 (Altair)



November 2022


'"The Nineteen old poems"


(16)


So cold the year end

Crying moles at dusk

Does the traveller

Have warm clothes?

Silk linens left here

Wedding is farewell

Alone for long nights

He comes to my dream

Happy as before

Riding me in car

Hand in hand we laugh

On our way to home

Soon he disappeared

My room still empty

Lucky birds in wind

How could I fly? 

Looking at their wings

Sending my message



October 2022)


"The Nineteen old poems" (14)


The dead becomes far

How close when alive (1)

Out of the city

Abandoned graveyard

Crops growing on tombs

Cedars become logs (2) (3)

Birch leaves in the wind

What a chilling sound

Dream to return home

but where is the road


Notes:


1) In this pair of verses, there are parallels:


去者/日以/疏 verb used as noun / adv same word / adj

来者/日以/亲 verb used as noun / adv same word / adj


The second verse echoes the first with anti-theses: 

来者 vs 去者, 亲 vs 疏 


(2) Another parallel, but with synonym, instead of anti-these:

古墓/犁为/田  noun / verb transforming / noun

松柏/摧为/薪  noun / verb transforming / noun


(3) Cedars, evergreen trees symbolizing eternality, were planted near graveyard


September 2022


"The nineteen old poems" (12)


Long and high walls (1)

Circle sculptured roofs (2)  

Autumn wind rise strong

Plants all lost colour

Seasons keep changing

How fast a year passes! (3)

Sad songs of morning birds

And crying crickets

Let the feelings run

Why retain oneself!

A city full of

beautiful girls

Silk dresses in wind

With sounds of guitar

How sad their music

How intense the notes

My mind goes far

My paces slowed down

Swallows in couple (4)

Building their nest


Notes:


1)

The poem was made in front of a panorama of Luo Yang  (洛阳), capital city from Sang Epoch 1600 BCE to Sui Epoch 605 ACE.


2) 

逶迤: uneven line like a moving snake


3)

“岁(year, age)暮(dusk, sunset)”,a combined double word, difficult to describe its poetical content. Considered as visually beautiful from calligraphic point of vue. Still in use today in literary works and in songs.


4)

 燕 Swallows, is a symbol of true love since antiquity till now, presented frequently in poetry, paintings and songs. The calligraphic beauty of this word, as well as the connotation of its pronunciation, is not translatable with the English term.


August 2022


"The nineteen old poems" (10)


Far above he is (1)

How bright she is 2)

Such fine long fingers

Lasting sounds from loom

Yet nothing takes shape

Tears run down like rain

Over that shallow 

river of clear lights

What distance to cross

Silent loving eyes


Notes:


1)

In classical Chinese, the vocabulary is mostly monosyllabe. In this poem, is largely used the method of repeating  a monosyllabe adj or adv, (迢迢, 皎皎, 纤纤,  札札, 盈盈, 脉脉 in order to form a double syllabe word for its sonority and also to emphasize a state of being. This figure existes even today, sometimes, often in poetry and songs (慢慢地走 = 很慢地走 to walk very slowly, 甜甜地笑= 笑得很甜 to smile sweetly)


2) Legendary impossible love story between a cowherd from the earth and a weaver girl from heaven. They were only allowed to meet in the sky once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month (agricultural calendar), crossing the galaxy.


Often, in this poetry, and also sometimes in contemporary songs, legendary tales, and historical anecdotes or events are used allusively, to tell author's own story and expresse his /her thoughts or feelings.


July 2022


"The nineteen old poems" (8)


A lonely bambu

settled near mountains

When married we were

cuscuta with usnea.

Plants do not last

our union is short

Far away from home

beyond vast hills

Youth lost in sorrow

where is the fancy car!

A cymbidium

with bright blossom

Left alone it will

faint with automne grass

Loyal as you are

how can I complain?



Notes:


1) A case of parallelism: 


"生有时“ verb - verb - noun used as adv 

Literal translation:

to be alive - has - limited time


"会有宜“ verb - verb - noun used as adv

Literal translation:

To be together - is determined by - circumstances


Musicality:

"Shen you shi" / "Hui you yi"

平仄平                 仄仄平


2)

The husband, like many at that time, went away to seek promotion. He is supposed to come back home successful, with a beautiful car.


3)

"君” (lord) is a very loving and respectful term to call one's own husband




    June 2022


      ”The nineteen old poems 古诗十九首“ 


(6)  


 Harvesting lotus (1) 

A lac of sweetgrass 

Pick up some for whom? 

The one far away 

Looking back to old town (2) 

But endless journey 

Hearts were teared apart (3) 

Aging in sorrow (4) 


 Notes: 


1) The first subject is a lady working in a lac to gather lotus roots for food. 


2) Change of subject here: a man on exil thinking about hometown 


3) In this "five syllabes poem (五言诗)”,every verse is of different syntax, except the last group of two verses sharing the same pattern:  

同心而离居, 

adv combined word "同心"/ adv coordination 连词 "而"/ verb serving as adv describing a state of action or being "离" / verb "居"  

忧伤以终老  

adv combined word 忧伤 / adv coordination 连词 "以" / verb serving as adv describing a state of action or being "终" / verb "老"  

However, as a rule that will be further developed in the following decades and centuries, in this group, the two verses follow the same grammatical pattern, but diverse themselves in the tones.   Ancient poetry was chanted. There were many tones for each and different words. There are left four tones in modern Chinese language: -, /, v, ` .  The first two tones are labelled as "Ping 平", the last two tones as "Ze 仄".   

The tones pattern here is therefore:  ping ping ze ping ping 平平仄平平/ ping ping ze ping ze  平平仄平仄  We shall have occasions to come back to this quite important characteristic  of the more and more codified variation of tones. 

 

4) The rime is all on the second verse of each group: 草 cao, 道 dao, 浩 hao, 老 lao.                                      


   May 2022     


The Nineteen old poems 古诗十九首


4)


Today's good party 

Unspeakable joies 

Guitar reaching far (1) 

New piece of music (2) 

Deep words in the songs 

The truth in the airs 3) 

Sharing same wishes 

Though nothing is said 

Duration of one life 

As floating dust 

Why not to climb 

Nor to aim spots? 

Why not to act ?

Humble hardship.  


Note: 

1) 奋 intense, strengthful  

2) 逸 piano, soft, flying far 

3) 入神 in extase, beyond life  




                                            April 2022


The Nineteen old poems 古诗十九首


2)


Green green river grass,* 

Heavy heavy is 

The garden willow. 

Lightly lightly she sits 

Nicely nicely at the window. 

Sweet sweet red powder, 

Slim slim white hands. 

Singer in the past, 

Married to an unstable, 

who is not returning. 

Difficult to keep  

The empty bed alone.   


Note:  

Here, the words "青”,“郁”,“盈”,“皎”,“娥” and “纤” are adjectifs used as adverbs, each repeated side by side to form a combined word describing an active state. The repetition also create a rythme. This method is commonly observed in Yue Fu 乐府 songs.




                                                             March 2022


Contemporary songs


Coolen fireworks

Words by Fang Wenshan 方文山

Music by Zhou Jielun 周杰伦


Noice of prosperity, 

Door to the empty room

Tiring so many

Dreams turn cold 

Already lifetime

How far indebted for love

If you silently accept, 

if you hopelessly wait

In that tower with floating images

how many broken floors 


Broken is whose soul

The pain runs straight

Towards a weak light

A crushed door in the mountain

Let me wait 

Till history again turns over

Till the wine tastes good

Till you play something

On an ancient guitar


Listening to the youth

The much envied laughters

That history book

Never tolerated tenderness

All is written with much cruelty

Fireworks are easy to kill

People and events, easy to divide

But you are asking if I am serious

A thousand years later

Feelings are accumulated

Who will still be waiting

And that blue book of history

how can it be wrong


Just as a book of Wei 

Found in the city of Luo Yang

You followed me

Crossing the gate of the other life

Into the red dust

Wandering always 


Under the fine rain

The grass is deep in our hometown

I was told you have still been alone

The city's gate has lost its paint

The root of an old tree remains nearby

On the stone paved street

I heard this: wait longer


Under the light rain

The grass has grown wild in our hometown

I was told you have been staying here

While everybody has left

An air of flute is floating outside the city

and then disappear into a remote village

Our destiny together is falling to the ground

And taking its root and becoming WE


We, in that dark blue temple, 

listen to the rain 

and hope to last

 

Note: 

- Wei (魏)Northern kingdom 403BCE-225ACE

- Luo Yang (洛阳)Capital city where the Kingdom of Jin 晋 settled in after having replaced Wei. Located in today's Henan Province.



                                                          February 2022


"MuLin", seconde part (from Yue fu songs)


Running to battles fields far away, crossing the frontlines in the mountains as if wing-mounted. The northern wind bringing the midnight sounds of drum (1). The icy moonlight shining on solders' and generals' armour. Hundreds of battles, many lives lost. Heroes got home a decade later. 


His majesty received them in the palace. Rewards were distributed. One asked Mulin about her wishes. She did not want a high ranked position in the capital. Instead, she asked for a good horse, in order to quickly reach her hometown.


Having had the news of her return, Mulin's parents, in their old age, went out of the city to meet her. Her eldest sister started to put on make-up. Her youngest brother butchered a pig. Mulin went straight to her own rooms, sit on her bed. She took off her army gear, put on her old days' clothes. In front of her mirror near the window, she arranged her hairs soft as clouds, sticked a yellow flower on her forehead. 


At the gathering with her friends met in the battlefields, they were very surprised to discover that Mulin was a lady (2).

Notes

1) The gardiens at night walk around and through the city every a few hours, using a drum to mark the different blocs of nightly time.


2) Mulin needed to disguise herself as a man to be able to become a soldier.


January 2022

"Peafowls flying to the south-west"

Second part


The divorced lady went to see her mother. Everywhere she went, she carried the dishonour as her shadow. Her mother, not expecting this out-coming, clapped her hands with surprise: "I taught you weaver when you were thirteen. At fourteen you were able to make clothes. At fifteen you could play guitar. At sixteen you know rules and politeness. At seventeen I married you out very well, thinking you wouldn't disappoint your husband's family. What you have done there, so that you are sent back here, this way, without notice?" Lan-Zhi told her mother:" I am really innocent." Her mother then felt great sorrow.

A dozen of days after her return, the district leader sent them a matchmaker. According to her, his third son was about eighteen years' old, handsome, and already eloquent and well-versed. 

The mother told the daughter to deal with this mariage proposal herself.

Lan-Zhi answered with tears: "On the day of my departure, my husband reminded me again and again that we will never let ourselves separated. If I now break such a promise, I am afraid a new mariage will not bring me happiness. Please feel free to decline this proposal, and let us discuss later on."

Lan-Zhi's mother frankly told the person: "Our poor and humble family has such a daughter that she was juste sent back home from her husband's family. If she was unable to be a small mandarin's wife, how could she suit a district leader's son? Please inform yourself more widely. I cannot give a quick consent."

A few days later, came another matchmaker. He said he already proposed a girl from a titled family to the district leader's son. Then he informed Lan-Zhi's family that the mayor's fifth son was nice and still single: "Since the mayor wishes his son to marry Lan-Zhi, I come to your respectable door to deliver the good news."

Lan-Zhi's mother thanked him: "My daughter already made promise to someone. Me an old mother do not have a say on the matter." 

Lan-Zhi's eldest brother, when hearing this conversation, became very irritated. He turned to his sister, and said:"Why you do not think twice when making a decision! You married a small mandarin first, now you'll have the opportunity to marry a gentleman's son. This is a difference between the sky and the ground. What an honour to you! If you refuse such a mariage, what will be your future?"

Lan-Zhi raised her head and answered:"My brother is right. I left home to serve my husband's family. I didn't expect I would have to come back to live under my brother's roof. I want to behave well to the eyes of my brother. How dare I to be capricious? Although I have commitment with my former husband, our reunion will be impossible. You can right now give them the consent, I will remarry."


The matchmaker stood up and expressed his great satisfaction. He went back with this good news to the mayor his employer: "I, your humble worker, have well-accomplished the mission. The family reacted very positively, so there will be a happy union." (1) The mayor was very happy. He consulted the calendar and the book of fortunes, and found they should marry the two young people within the month, the six positions of both the sun and the moon being in harmony. The thirtieth would be the perfect day. It was already the twenty-seventh. The mayor asked the matchmaker to organize the wedding. Words were spread, everybody was hurrying, people, cars and boats running as floating clouds. Boats were painted blue et white birds, flags embroidered with dragons fluttering at their four corners. Golden cars with jade tires advanced in the wind. Horses with white and black hairs slowed their paces, golden tassels hanging down from the seats. Three million coins were attached by blue cords. Three hundreds rolls of colourful cotton. Delicacies from Guangzhou's market. Four to five hundred people gathered at the mayor's property. 

The mother asked the daughter: "The mayor just sent us a letter. Tomorrow they will come to assist your departure and your journey to your new home. Why you are not yet preparing your dress? Please do not fail the matter!"

The daughter said no word, covered her face with a handkerchief, her tears falling as rain. She moved her chair decorated with coloured glaze to the front window. She took scissors and a rule in her left hand, a big piece of silk in her right hand. In the morning she made a double layer skirt. In the evening she finished a very thin shirt. The sun was retreating more and more. She kept crying about the upcoming event.


Le former husband of Lan-Zhi, having heard the news, asked for a leave. When he arrived close to Lan-Zhi's home, his horse started to neigh sadly. The wife recognized the horse's voice, she put on shoes and hurried out. With a heavy heart she looked afar, knowing who was coming. When her husband approached, she raised her hand to tap the horse. "Since my husband left me, she said with a deep sigh, too many things happened, not as I wished before, and yet my husband cannot know the details. I have my parents, plus my brothers pushed me hard. They promised me to another man. What else can you hope?"

The husband said to his young wife: "Congratulations for your moving up. The big stone is still heavy, it will remain a thousand years. The reed can be resistant for a moment, but it gives in fast. You will become a noble lady, and I will alone face the yellow stream (2)!"

The wife exclaimed: "Why you speak this way! We are both unable to control our fate. If you go to the yellow stream, so will I. Let us meet down there. Do not forget our words today!" They hold each other's hands for a moment, then parted away to their own home. What a farewell between a couple so young, and yet already under the shadow of death. They found no word to express their despair. Their only wish now was to quit this world, and to never try to survive without dignity. 

The husband went to announce his decision to his mother: "Today the wind is cold, the cold wind is destroying trees. Heavy frost is damaging the orchid in our garden. Today your son, like dusk, will soon be gone, leaving behind his longly mother. I made the plan myself, please no longer blame ghosts and gods. I hope your destiny will be as solid as a southern mountain stone, and your health very good."

The mother's tears were running when the son spoke. "You are son of an honourable family, you have a position in the municipality. Absolutely do not take your own life away just for a woman. You and that woman are not of same rank, it is not wrong for you to leave her. Our east side neighbour has a good daughter. Her beauty is famous in the city. Let your mother go to ask her to marry you, the answer will arrive within a day."

The son prostrated and withdrew. His long sigh resonated in his empty room. Then he made his mind. He looked around his room, in very tensed mood.


On the wedding day, horses and cattle screamed. Lan-Zhi was guided into a blue tent (3). At the sunset, the quiet was back. "My destiny ends today, she thought, my soul will leave even if my body remains!" She took off her silk shoes, and holding her skirt, she went down to the clear water in the pond.

When her husband heard the news, he understood there would be no more hope. He wondered for some time under a tree in his garden. Then he chose a south-est facing (4) branch to hang himself.


The families agreed to bury the young couple together, and to settle them near the mountain Hua. Parasol trees were planted at both sides. Their branches meets, their leaves are connected. A couple of birds came to reside on the trees. Their names are Yuan and Yang (5). They sing to each other every day, till mid night. People passing here would stop, to listen to the birds. Widows would have their mind confused by the song. Thanks to the coming generations, to keep the lesson unforgotten.

Notes

  1. 有缘( you yuan), here used in its popular meaning "get along well, as if dictated by some supernatural force". The word is originated from buddhist teaching: all relations are predetermined by a supernatural order, a fondamental element of a whole philosophical spirituality.

         2) 黄泉 (huang quan), place to live after life, for the non-enlightens.

         3) From late Han dynastie to Tang time, in the Northern regions, people celebrated weddings in a blue tent set up beside the house.

         4) The young wife's family lives south-est of the husband's city. South-est, for Feng Shui (风水) believers, is also considered a positive and hopeful direction.

         5) This sort of bird is considered as love bird, still today.


December 2021

Song of Xi Zhou ("Other songs", Yue Fu 乐府)


To the north shore I wish 

to send plum flowers.

So black are her hairs,

her coat, abricot red.

Where is Xi Zhou? Just

a few strokes of oars away.


Shrikes leave at sunset;

Winds blow through ube tree.

Here she steps out of home

with an emerald tin.

Absent is her lover,

she goes to the southern pond.

The automne flowers 

of lotus merged with her.

She picks the lotus seeds,

Pure as water they are.

In her sleeves she holds 

the seeds with read heart.

In vain she expects him,

Watching the flying swans

in the crowded Xi Zhou's sky,

She climbs to viewpoint.

For all days long, there

she leans on the railing.

The railing zig-zags afar,

her hands hang down like jade.


The high sky, outside,

ripples like green sea.

The sea wonders as the mood;

your sorrow is mine.

If the south wind knows me

it'll blow my dream to Xi Zhou




November 2021

Two night songs about the weaving girl (织女) at day seven

My seasons full of 

Tears and songs, when

departing on my phoenix

Moonlight covers the galaxy


The automne wind rises

bringing fresh joy

Free from the clouds

I run to the moon



Note:

- Romantic legend of the cowherd (牛郎)and the weaving girl (织女). They are both gods in the sky, and they can be seen as two stars. The weaving girl is a granddaughter of the celestial keen. After she met with the cowherd, she stopped to weave clothes made of clouds for the keen. The keen separated the couple with galaxy, allowing them reunion only on the seventh day of the seventh month each year, according to Chinese agricultural calendar. 


This day is still celebrated today among other traditional holidays. 


- Both songs seem to be written by a woman who might be expressing her own sorrows and joys through the legend of the weaving girl.


October 2021

Great night song

The bambu flute is only an instrument

borrowed by the sounds so pure so light

From where comes the charm of a song?

Voice and intensity guided by the heart


September 2021

At the Viewpoint

Arriving at the viewpoint,

Sudden cheerfulness.

The river quietly runs below

Pure and cool.

Perfuming as the orchid 

At the waterfront

In the sky, 

A golden swan is flying high

My bow is ready

Oh let me reach this bird

Let me live till eternalty


August 2021

the highest (from section « Songs and musique for drums and flutes »)

Oh the highest ! I wish you know my feelings,

And my love will last forever.

For me to part from you,

The mountains must become plains,

The river must dry out,

The thunder must strike in the middle of winter,

The snow must fall in summer,

The sky and the planet must become one.

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