西江月.梅花 My Plum Blossom
- Julia Min
- 2025年8月13日
- 讀畢需時 3 分鐘
西江月.梅花
苏轼
玉骨那愁瘴雾，冰姿自有仙风。
海仙时遣探芳丛。倒挂绿毛么凤。
素面翻嫌粉涴，洗妆不褪唇红。
高情已逐晓云空。不与梨花同梦。
My Plum Blossom
--to the tune of “The West River Moon”
written by Su Shi
En. trans. by Julia Min (Jul. 2025)
Her jade blossom thrives in celestial vibes.
Her crystal heart clears the miasma mist.
Her sweet scent drifts to the fairy island,
Attracting little fairies, green nut-hatches.
A born beauty will need no make-up tips.
No snow or rain can fade the cherry lips.
She’s a cloud at dawn, free of attachments,
Never sharing a dream with pear blossoms.
For Appreciation
Every verse in this poem celebrates the plum blossom, yet each line is also an elegy for Zhaoyun, one of the most remarkable women in Su Shi's life. Born in the enchanting city of Hangzhou, she entered the world of music and dance at twelve. Historical accounts record her admiration for the celebrated poet Dongpo, and at fourteen, she became his companion.
Zhaoyun's life was marked by hardship. Twice, she was persuaded to stay when Dongpo was exiled. When she finally joined him, she followed him to the remote frontier of Huizhou, where the rugged landscape and miasmic climate took a heavy toll on her health. Stricken by malaria, she died there at thirty-four. Though her years were few, she faced adversity with quiet courage, leaving a legacy of grace, loyalty, and inner strength.
In her later years, Zhaoyun turned wholeheartedly to Buddhism. As death approached, she recited the famous verse:
"All conditioned things are like dreams, bubbles, shadows, dew, and lightning."
In that moment, Dongpo understood that she had released all earthly attachments. He later reflected that she had come into his life to repay a karmic debt, and that when her task was fulfilled, she departed beyond his reach. Grieving yet accepting, he wrote:
She's a cloud at dawn, free of attachments, never sharing a dream with pear blossoms.
The contrast between pear and plum blossoms is deeply significant. Pear blossoms bloom amid the abundance of spring, in a world bustling with beauty, fashion, and fame. Plum blossoms, by contrast, flower alone in the snow, enduring winter's cold before spring arrives. In this image, Dongpo likens Zhaoyun's spirit to the plum blossom itself—pure, steadfast, and brave, quietly shining in the face of adversity.
Among the three important women in Su Shi's life, Zhaoyun was the youngest, yet perhaps she understood him most deeply. More poems were written for her than for any other. Even his celebrated poem A Moment from Shine to Rain on West Lake (饮湖上初晴后雨) is traditionally associated with her. After her death, a profound loneliness entered his life, and his poetry took on a quieter note.
Fate continued to weave poignant parallels between their lives. Zhaoyun died of malaria in Huizhou, and years later, Dongpo succumbed to the same illness. He also died on the same calendar date as their son, Dun. In his final years, when the Emperor offered him a high office, he declined, choosing instead a quiet life in Changzhou, not far from Zhaoyun's native region by Lake Tai. After a lifetime of glory and adversity, he finally let go of worldly concerns, choosing the peace of staying close to the memory of the woman who had shared his hardships and understood his heart.
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