Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Bamboo and Plum Blossom
Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Monday, February 29, 2016

Wang An-shih (1021-1086)

Pure-Apparent Monastery
 
Pure-Apparent, ancient monastery
twenty autumns deserted and cold:
 
it’s seen the ruin ravaging kalpas,
and now I come cultivating origins.
 

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Hsu Yun (1840-1959!!)

On visiting Longhua Temple in Rangoon

From this strategic point, one can control the Southern Seas.
And so a Buddhist Palace was built from a Dragon's Illusion.

Incense floats out from the Golden Pagoda.
The Buddha, himself, seems to appear in the smoke.

The Courtyard buildings are now about to be locked.
The bridge to this place begins to support one end of a jade-like rainbow.

Here, heaven and man can meet
To honor each other with one sound from the temple bell.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Han Yu (768-864)

The Jade Pool



The Mother of Heaven, in her window by the Jade Pool,
Hears The Yellow Bamboo Song shaking the whole earth.
Where is Emperor Mu, with his eight horses running
Ten thousand miles a day? Why has he never come back?
 
Han Yu :

Friday, February 26, 2016

Wang Wei (699-759)

Poem of Farewell

Morning rain on Wei’s city
Falls in the soft dust.
Green. The courtyard willows.
Green leaves. The newest.
But you must drink deeper.
Again, one more cup?
Out west where you go
What friendship there?

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Lu You (1125-1201)

【釵頭鳳】世情惡南宋唐婉
世情薄,人情惡,雨送黃昏花易落。
曉風乾,淚痕殘,欲箋心事,獨倚斜欄。
難!難!難!

人成各,今非昨,病魂常似鞦韆索。
角聲寒,夜闌珊,怕人詢問,咽淚裝歡。
瞞!瞞!瞞!

Title: Phoenix Hairpin by Tang Yuan):-

A pitiless
world, hard-hearted people, the evening rain beats petals down.
Morning wind
dries, not the tears, I want to write, but can only lean on the fence.
Tough! Tough! Tough!
We parted ways,
yesteryears gone, the ghost of sickness haunts like a hanging rope.
The horn is
chilling, the night is long, shunning questions, I dry my tears and feign joy.
Hide! Hide!
Hide!

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Lu You (1125-1209)

【釵頭鳳】紅酥手南宋陸游


紅酥手,黃藤酒,滿城春色宮牆柳。
東風惡,歡情薄,一懷愁
緒,幾年離索。
錯!錯!錯!
春如舊,人空瘦,淚痕浥紅鮫綃透。
桃花落,閒池閣,山盟雖在,錦書難托。
莫!莫!莫!
My English Rendition
(Title:
Phoenix Hairpin by Lu You):-

Tasty pork, golden wine, spring came amidst willows draped
over walls.
Wicked custom, short-lived joy, leaves a pining heart, and lonely
years befall.
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
Spring comes and goes, as I waste away; my tears have soaked
many a handkerchief.
Peach blossoms fall, by the lonely pond, our vows intact,
yet we can’t connect.
Lost! Lost! Lost!

Monday, February 22, 2016

Su Tung-po (Su Shi 1037-1101)

Battle Of Red Cliff



The Yangtze flows east
Washing away
A thousand ages of great men
West of the ramparts --
People say --
Are the fabled Red Cliffs of young Chou of the Three Kingdoms
Rebellious rocks pierce the sky
Frightening waves rip the bank
The backwash churns vast snowy swells --
River and mountains like a painting
how many heroes passed them, once ...

Think back to those years, Chou Yu --
Just married to the younger Chiao --
Brave, brilliant
With plumed fan, silk kerchief
Laughed and talked
While masts and oars vanished to flying ash and smoke!
I roam through ancient realms
Absurdly moved
Turn gray too soon --
A man's life passes like a dream --
Pour out a cup then, to the river, and the moon

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Ho Xuan Huong (1772-1822)

Floating Sweet Dumpling



My body is powdery white and round
I sink and bob like a mountain in a pond
The hand that kneads me is hard and rough
You can't destroy my true red heart
 
Ho Xuan Huong :

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Shih Ching (book of odes. 10th cent BC)

II

The Ko T‘an; narrative. Celebrating the industry and dutifulness of King Wên's queen.

1Sweet was the scene. The spreading dolichos
Extended far, down to the valley's depths,
With leaves luxuriant. The orioles
Fluttered around, and on the bushy trees p. 3
In throngs collected,—whence their pleasant notes
Resounded far in richest melody.
2The spreading dolichos extended far,
Covering the valley's sides, down to its depths,
With leaves luxuriant and dense. I cut
It down, then boiled, and from the fibers span
Of cloth, both fine and coarse, large store,
To wear, unwearied of such simple dress.
3Now back to my old home, my parents dear
To see, I go. The matron I have told,
Who will announcement make. Meanwhile my clothes,
My private clothes I wash, and rinse my robes.
Which of them need be rinsed? and which need not?
My parents dear to visit, back I go.


Friday, February 19, 2016

Chia Tao (779-843)

Seeing Off Shen Miao, Buddhist Master



Mists of willow catkin
are falling
on the roads
of western Szechwan.

We meet-
then suddenly spring is over;
your teachings imparted,
you go alone,

traveling fast, with rain
in far mountains;
sleeping late, after
a night of storm.

Of the trees
around your cottage-
when you return,
their leaves should be vermilion.
 
Chia Tao :

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Lao Tzu (c.500 BC)

10 – Can You Coax Your mind?

Can you coax your mind from its wandering
and keep to the original oneness?
Can you let your body become
supple as a newborn child’s?
Can you cleanse your inner vision
until you see nothing but the light?
Can you love people and lead them
without imposing your will?
Can you deal with the most vital matters
by letting events take their course?
Can you step back from you own mind
and thus understand all things?
Giving birth and nourishing,
having without possessing,
acting with no expectations,
leading and not trying to control:
this is the supreme virtue.

  • Tao Te Ching

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Confucius (551BC-479BC)

A Love-Song



The moon comes forth, bright in the sky;
A lovelier sight to draw my eye
Is she, that lady fair.
She round my heart has fixed love's chain,
But all my longings are in vain.
'Tis hard the grief to bear.

The moon comes forth, a splendid sight;
More winning far that lady bright,
Object of my desire!
Deep-seated is my anxious grief;
In vain I seek to find relief;
While glows the secret fire.

The rising moon shines mild and fair;
More bright is she, whose beauty rare
My heart with longing fills.
With eager wish I pine in vain;
O for relief from constant pain,
Which through my bosom thrills!
 
Confucius :

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Yang Wanli (1127-1206)

On A Portrait Of Myself



The pure wind makes me chant poems.
The bright moon urges me to drink.
Intoxicated, I fall among the flowers,
heaven my blanket, earth my pillow.
 
Yang Wanli :

Monday, February 15, 2016

Li Bai (701-762)

Farewell

A FAREWELL TO SECRETARY SHUYUN AT THE XIETIAO VILLA IN XUANZHOU
Since yesterday had to throw me and bolt,
Today has hurt my heart even more.
The autumn wild geese have a long wind for escort
As I face them from this villa, drinking my wine.
The bones of great writers are your brushes, in the School of Heaven,
And I am a Lesser Xie growing up by your side.
We both are exalted to distant thought,
Aspiring to the sky and the bright moon.
But since water still flows, though we cut it with our swords,
And sorrows return, though we drown them with wine,
Since the world can in no way answer our craving,
I will loosen my hair tomorrow and take to a fishing boat.
- Li Po

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Ouyang Xiu (1007-1072)

Heaven's Aspect, the Water's Colour (Picking Mulberries)
Ouyang Xiu

Heaven's aspect, the water's colour- West Lake is good.
Creatures in the clouds all fresh,
Gulls and egrets idly sleep,
I follow my habit as of old, listen to pipes and strings.

The wind is clear, the moon is white, the night is almost perfect.
One piece of beautiful land,
Who would crave a steed or phoenix?
One man on his boat is just like an immortal.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Li Ching Chao (1084-1151)

Tz'U No. 2 (Wine Joy)



To the tune "As in a Dream"

I have long remembered
the pavilion
on the stream
the falling sun
so deep in wine
we did not know
the way home
how pleasure spent
late returning
the skiff
thoughtless
entered
a lotus deep place
and struggling through
struggling through
we scared up
from the sand
gulls and herons.
 
Li Ching Chao :

Friday, February 12, 2016

Bai Juyi (772-846)

Reading Laozi
Bai Juyi

Those who speak do not know, those who know are silent,
I heard this saying from the old gentleman.
If the old gentleman was one who knew the way,
Why did he feel able to write five thousand words?

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Li Bai (701-762)

Lines For A Taoist Adept



My friend lives high on East Mountain.
His nature is to love the hills and gorges.
In green spring he sleeps in empty woodland,
Still there when the noon sun brightens.
Pine-tree winds to dust his hair.
Rock-filled streams to cleanse his senses.
Free of all sound and stress,
Resting on a wedge of cloud and mist.
 
Li Po :

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Chuang Tzu (370 BC-287 BC)

Goods and Possessions

Goods and possessions are no gain in his eyes.
He stays far from wealth and honor.
Long life is no ground for joy, nor early death for sorrow.
Success is not for him to be pround of, failure is no shame.
Had he all the world’s power he would not hold it as his own.
If he conquered everything he would not take it to himself.
His glory is in knowing that all things come together in One and life and death are equal.

- Chuang Tzu, Trans. T.Merton

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Yang Wanli (1127-1206)

Cold Sparrows



Hundreds of cold sparrows dive into the empty courtyard,
cluster on plum branches and speak of sun after rain at dusk.
They choose to gather en masse and kill me with noise.
Suddenly startled, they disperse. Then, soundlessness.

Yang Wanli :

Monday, February 8, 2016

Du Fu (712-770)

Jueju, No. 3 of 4 (Two Golden Orioles Sing in the Green Willows)
Du Fu

Two golden orioles sing in the green willows,
A row of white egrets against the blue sky.
The window frames the western hills' snow of a thousand autumns,
At the door is moored, from eastern Wu, a boat of ten thousand li.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Confucius (551-479.BC)

Celebrating A Hunting Expedition



Our chariots were well-built and firm,
Well-matched our steeds, and fleet and strong.
Four, sleek and large, each chariot drew,
And eastward thus we drove along.

Our hunting cars were light and good,
Each with its team of noble steeds.
Still further east we took the way
To Foo-mere's grassy plains that leads.

Loud-voiced, the masters of the chase
Arranged the huntsmen, high and low.
While banners streamed, and ox-tails flew,
We sought the prey on distant Gaou.

Each with full team, the princes came,
A lengthened train in bright array.
In gold-wrought slippers, knee-caps red,
They looked as on an audience day.

Each right thumb wore the metal guard;
On the left arm its shield was bound.
In unison the arrows flew;
The game lay piled upon the ground.

The leaders of the tawny teams
Sped on their course, direct and true.
The drivers perfect skill displayed;
Like blow well aimed each arrow flew.

Neighing and pleased, the steeds returned;
The bannered lines back slowly came.
No jostling rude disgraced the crowd;
The king declined large share of game.

So did this famous hunt proceed!
So free it was from clamorous sound!
Well does our King become his place,
And high the deeds his reign have crowned!

Confucius :

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Odes of Chou and the South (10th cent.BC)

II

The Ko T‘an; narrative. Celebrating the industry and dutifulness of King Wên's queen.

1Sweet was the scene. The spreading dolichos
Extended far, down to the valley's depths,
With leaves luxuriant. The orioles
Fluttered around, and on the bushy trees p. 3
In throngs collected,—whence their pleasant notes
Resounded far in richest melody.
2The spreading dolichos extended far,
Covering the valley's sides, down to its depths,
With leaves luxuriant and dense. I cut
It down, then boiled, and from the fibers span
Of cloth, both fine and coarse, large store,
To wear, unwearied of such simple dress.
3Now back to my old home, my parents dear
To see, I go. The matron I have told,
Who will announcement make. Meanwhile my clothes,
My private clothes I wash, and rinse my robes.
Which of them need be rinsed? and which need not?
My parents dear to visit, back I go.

Friday, February 5, 2016

Wen Tian Xiang (1236-1283)

Crossing the Lonely Sea

Delving in the Book of Change, I rose through hardship great,
And desperately fought the foe for four long years;
Like willow catkin, the war-torn land looks desolate,
I sink or swim as duckweed in the rain appears.
For perils on Perilious Beach, I heaved and sighed,
On Lonely Sea now, I feel dreary and lonely;
Since olden days, which man has lived and not died?
I'll leave a loyalist name in history!
tr.Xu YuanZhong

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Wang Wei (699-759)

Chungnan

Middle-aged now, following the Way.
Settled at evening near the Chungnan slopes.
Delight, and I wander off by myself
Searching for what I need to see alone.
I climb up to the roots of the streams,
Sit and watch the White Clouds pass,
Meet the old man of the woods,
Talk and laugh, forget to go home.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Hongren (602-675)

Flower Seed Sequence (5)
        Hongren 602-675, 

Have courage, come plant seeds!
For the soil is fertile..
If no passion, no seeds,
If no compassion, no offspring. 

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

T'ao Ch'ien (365-427)



Ninth Day, Ninth Month

Slowly autumn comes to an end.
Painfully cold a dawn wind thicks the dew.
Grass round here will not be green again,
Trees and leaves are already suffering.
The clear air is drained and purified
And the high white sky’s a mystery.
Nothing’s left of the cicada’s sound.
Flying geese break the heavens’ silence.
The Myriad Creatures rise and return.
How can life and death not be hard?
From the beginning all things have to die.
Thinking of it can bruise the heart.
What can I do to lighten my thoughts?
Solace myself drinking the last of this wine.
Who understands the next thousand years?
Let’s just make this morning last forever.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Li Bai (701-762)

Viewing Heaven's Gate Mountains
Li Bai

The River Chu cuts through the middle of heaven's gate,
The green water flowing east reaches here then swirls.
On either bank the blue hills face towards each other,
The flatness of a lonely sail comes from by of the sun.