Saturday, 4 June 2022

lnhammer: the Chinese character for poetry, red on white background (Default)
Spring orchid leaves are thick and lush,
Autumn osmanthus bright and pure—
Most joyous, this vitality,
And through yourselves all seasons turn fine.
Who knows the hermit in the forest
Hearing the wind and thus content?
You grass and trees have your own nature:
Why seek to be plucked off by a beauty?

感遇 之二
兰叶春葳蕤,
桂华秋皎洁;
欣欣此生意,
自尔为佳节。
谁知林栖者,
闻风坐相悦?
草木有本心,
何求美人折?

This was written as the 1st poem of a 12-poem set, and included in the original edition. Lost in translation: it’s specifically the osmanthus “blossoms” that are bright and pure. The hermit represents the author living in exile from court, non-literally as he wasn’t that cut off from civilized comforts.

—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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