Chinese 323 Writing a Letter (3)

 

Travis' Selection:

Xi Kang/Hsi K'ang (223-262)

 

"Sent to the Hsiu-ts'ai on His Entry into the Army"

 

The quiet night is solemn,

a bright moon lighting up the eaves.

Gentle breezes rustle my garments --

the corded blinds are looped up high.

Though fine wine brims in the casket,

I've no one to join me in delight.

The sounding lute rests beside me,

but for whom should I pluck its strings?

I look up, longing for one who shares my thoughts --

his fragrance is like the orchid.

My fine friend not by my side,

can I help endlessly sighing?

 

(Burton Watson, The Columbia Book of Chinese Poetry, p. 152)

 

Heidi's Selection:

Du Fu/Tu Fu (712-770)

 

"Thinking of My Little Boy"

 

Apart still, and already oriole songs

Fill warm spring days. Changing seasons

Startle me here without you, my little

Sage. Who talks philosophy with you now?

 

Clear streams, empty mountain paths, our

Simple village home among ancient trees . . .

In grief thinking of you, sleep: sunning

On the veranda, I nod off beneath blue skies.

 

(David Hinton, tr., The Selected Poems of Tu Fu, p. 27.)

 

Valerie's Selection:

Jia Dao/Chia Tao (circa 810 c.e.)

 

"Joy of a Wanderer"

 

A wanderer's joy is no real joy,

A wanderer's sorrow is no real sorrow.

Letters reaching home a hundred times

Are worth less than going home myself just once.

Not yet gone home, I always sigh from sorrow,

Sighing from sorrow increases the feelings within.

Opening my mouth, I spit forth sorrowful sounds,

Which come back into my ears.

Always I fear that my dripping tears be so many

That they will harm the radiance of my eyes.

Though there be strands of white silk by my locks,

I cannot weave of them clothes against the cold.

 

(Stephen Owen, The Poetry of Meng Chiao and Han Yü, p. 242.)

 

Cat's Selection:

Li He/Li Ho (791-817)

 

"Song: On the Lake"

(7-character: 3 rhymes)

 

Girl with long eyebrows crosses the sands,

Gathering orchids and iris.

Cassia leaves and smartweed spread

An ambient fragrance.

Drowsy with wine, idle all the white day

In a moored boat,

In the plum-breeze by the ferry she waves

Her singing-fan.

 

Jade forks of her swallow-hairpins gleam

In the clear canal,

The king of Yueh's handsome son

Sends her a delicate letter.

 

Paper from Shu, wrapped in a kercheif,

Tells this cloud-haired girl,

They will meet tonight when the water-clock

Has stilled its drops.

 

(J.D. Frodsham, The Poems of Li Ho, p. 81.)

 

Kelley's Selection:

Li Shangyin/Li Shang-yin (812?-858)

 

"Spring Rain"

 

I mope the new spring away in a white coat.

White Gate dilapidated: odds are always looking against us.

Across the rains, the red chamber looks cold.

Beaded blind, rocking lamp, I return all alone.

Road so remote, should you not grieve the dusking spring?

Last hours of the night: still a dream, seeming, not to seem.

Jade earrings, letters, where and how to send?

Across a million miles of cloud-net, a single goose flies.

 

(Yip, Wai-lim, Chinese Poetry: An Anthology of Major Modes and Genres, p.301.)