Thursday, 1 August 2019

lnhammer: the Chinese character for poetry, red on white background (Default)
In the jade tower halfway to heaven, song and dance begin—
Wind brings the harmonious laughter and chatter of palace concubines.
Shadows depart the Moon Hall; I hear the nighttime water clock;
I roll up the crystal curtain, and draw near the Autumn River.

宫词
玉楼天半起笙歌,
风送宫嫔笑语和。
月殿影开闻夜漏,
水晶帘卷近秋河。

The Moon Hall is the palace of Chang’e, goddess of the moon. The Autumn River is the Milky Way, which becomes prominent in the early night sky in autumn. I like the intricate parallels of mundane and celestial details in this.

(I want fan art for this one.)

—L.

About

Warning: contents contain line-breaks.

As language practice, I like to translate poetry. My current project is Chinese, with practice focused on Tang Dynasty poetry. Previously this was classical Japanese, most recently working through the Kokinshu anthology (archived here). Suggestions, corrections, and questions always welcome.

There's also original pomes in the journal archives.

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