东坡八首（第八首） (余至黄州二年，日以困匮。故人马正卿哀余乏食，为于郡中请故营地数十亩，使得躬耕其中，地既久荒，为茨棘瓦砾之场，而岁又大旱，垦辟之劳，筋力殆尽。释耒而叹，乃作是诗，自愍其勤。庶几来岁之入，以忘其劳焉！) 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.05) 马生本穷士，从我二十年。 日夜望我贵，求分买山钱。 我今反累生，借耕辍兹田。 刮毛龟背上，何时得成毡？ 可怜马生痴，至今夸我贤。 众笑终不悔，施一当获千。 Eight Poems on my Farm, the East Slope (8) (Our second year in Huangzhou often saw us starving due to a gradual lack of food. My friend Ma Zhengqing made huge efforts in negotiating with the local officers for a piece of the local military land. It’s about 10 acres deserted for a long time being infertile and rocky. We worked very hard to clear the rubble, the thistles and thorns before planting anything. But then there was a dry spell followed, threatening our crop yields. And now  comes the long-waited rain, thus I write these 8 poems in appreciation of our team work, hoping all the hard work to be paid off in the coming years. By then we can be totally relieved of such arduous toil.) Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Zizhan', art name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Apr. 2024) Mr Ma is my friend, a poor scholar, And a follower of mine for twenty years. Sincere is his wish for my luck of fortunes, And for a share to buy land when he retires. He’s now stuck in my bad luck, like others, Working his socks off like a local farmer. It’s like trying to make warm wear for winter By scraping the shell of a turtle for the fur. Yet I remain a man of values in his mind, And no one could ever change his judgment. Very little have I offered him all these years, But the drop is paid with a spring in return. Appreciation: Of all the followers, Mr Ma was a most valuable one as he physically followed Su Shi for 34 long years, rain or shine. Su Shi, during this hard times, felt heavily in debt towards such a loyal friend and made some special strokes or you may say ‘eternal lines’ in his poetry collection. This reminds me of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 – “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.” Yet the tears were running inward for a man like Su Shi. The teasing tone in the first part is used to cover the hidden tears. He knows how lucky he was to have such a valuable friend. So the last few lines show his appreciation and indebted gratitude. Reference: 1. Picture from 360doc.com (海曲上人）

洗儿戏作 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.04) 人皆养子望聪明， 我被聪明误一生。 惟愿孩儿愚且鲁， 无灾无难到公卿。 A Joke for the Baptism of my Newborn Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Zizhan', art name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Apr. 2024) All parents want their kids to be clever; Yet my cleverness had my life all screwed. I hope this son to stay simple and stupid; - Good fortune favours dummies and fools. Appreciation: The Chinese Baby Baptism is a traditional ceremony where a newborn is bathed for the first time three days after birth. While most parents and relatives express their best wishes for the child to become handsome, intelligent, and wealthy, Dongpo just wanted him to be stupid and simple-minded for a smooth life. This is just a reflection of how he felt after his 103 days in prison followed by the banishment to Huangzhou where his fourth son was born in 1083. He understood that a clever person may become the victim of his own ingenuity. The sense of humor reminds me of the story Forrest Gump, and also the famous quote there -- Mama says, “Stupid is as stupid does.” Reference: 1. Picture from Google search

贵妃阁春帖子 原作：李清照 英译：闵晓红 金环半后礼， 钩弋比昭阳。 春生百子帐， 喜入万年觞。 注：钩弋gōu yì是一个姓名，出自《汉书外戚传上孝武钩弋赵倢伃》— 百度 A Quatrain for the Noble Consort’s Chamber - a season’s greeting scroll for Spring Festival written by: : Li Qingzhao ( 12th century) translated by： Julia Min Honoured with the gold bracelet, almost an Empress, you have no need to envy Han’s Shaoyang Palace. May you be dearly loved and blessed with more sons, embracing a new year full of cheers and happiness. Appreciation: This is a seasonal greeting poem written on a red scroll for the Noble Consort Wu who became the Empress a few months later. Again the theme focuses on happiness and on having more children. Shaoyang Palace in the Han Dynasty is said to be a very luxurious living place for Noble Consort Zhao of Emperor Chen. Yi’an made the comparison to emphasize how much Wu was favoured by the Emperor. Please refer to “The silkworm breeding season is over - A scroll for the Empress’s chamber hall to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival”. Reference: 1. baike.baidu.com (百度百科) 2. zh.wikipedia.org (维基百科） 3. 《李清照集笺注》李清照撰，徐培均笺注； 2002年上海古籍出版社 4. 《李清照文集》 作者：（北宋）李清照著，刘振鹏https://books.google.com.au/ 5. All pictures are selected from google search.

东坡 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.04) 雨洗东坡月色清， 市人行尽野人行。 莫嫌荦确坡头路。（荦luò确） 自爱铿然曳杖声。（铿kēng…曳yè） A walk at Dongpo, the East Slope Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Zizhan', art name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Apr. 2024) The moon starts to glow after the rain on the East Slope. No more hustles and bustles, just an idler walking alone. I’m taking the rocky road you can’t have on the street; And I love the clicking tone of my stick on the stones. Appreciation: Dongpo, the Chinese pinyin for ‘东坡’ (meaning east slope), was a barren land on a hillside near the Red Clift outside the old East Gate of Huangzhou Town. The farm life as a criminal politician opened a unique chapter for Su Shi where he managed to cultivate his character for a more sophisticated insight about the world. In a Chinese idiom, we may say, “Out of the sloppy muddy mess grows a proud and pure lotus flower (出污泥而不染)”. His ability of tolerance came from his broad-minded character and optimistic attitude about life. His wife Wang Fo commented that he saw no enemy in his life journey.  The five-year’s rocky journey (1079-1084) could have ruined many public celebrities but proved to be a great turning point marked with huge success in Su Shi’s artistic creation. This little poem gives us a glimpse of his life at Huangzhou. The irony is deeply webbed in the comparison between a busy fame-seeking world and a solitary night at East Slope. He was just a forgotten outsider marginalized from the Song political centre. Yet, he could enjoy the moonlit barren land where the clicking of his walking stick hears like music, -- an attitude as in the movie “Singin’ in the Rain”. He believed the shadowed moon would come out clear and shine again. And indeed, this dark and dreary experience was just an appetiser, getting him ready for something big on the way. The East Gate and parts of the building complex (still standing today) have always been a famous destination on Su Shi’s must-see sites. I was lucky to have 3-year teaching experience at a normal institute which could well be on the old East Slope as it suits what has been recorded in books and poems. The Red Cliff was our morning reading venue where I volunteered to tutor my students on weekdays. Every fiber in the texture there was woven into my mind and heart without me fully realising it until thirty years later. Reference: 1. Picture from Google search

雨中花慢.邃院重帘 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.04) 邃院重帘何处， 惹得多情，愁对风光。 睡起酒阑花谢， 蝶乱蜂忙。 今夜何人， 吹笙北岭，待月西厢。 空怅望处， 一株红杏，斜倚低墙。 羞颜易变，傍人先觉， 到处被着猜防。 谁信道，些儿恩爱， 无限凄凉。 好事若无间阻， 幽欢却是寻常。 一般滋味， 就中香美，除是偷尝。 From the Inner Garden -to the tune Blossoms Fading in the Rain Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Zizhan', art name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Apr. 2024) From the inner garden, behind curtains and drapes, A little sweet poem was sent for a moon-night date. But sth troubled her mind and seized her rosy face. As the party was over, he came to her west chamber. She had to have all doors closed to keep him at bay. So close were the hearts, yet a thousand miles apart. Most blossoms faded, leaving butterflies lost in dismay. He played a melody on Sheng and she echoed in heart. Growing over the low garden wall where he long gazed, A blooming bough leaned over, the red apricot flowers. Alas, shy love is often given away by the flushed cheeks Trying to hide a burning fire of desire in a familiar street,- Just a few shots for the thrilled joy between cold realities Of long hours waiting in silent desolation and desperation. An open love life plays safe with a dedicated company, A routine ride on a known course for a known destination, Free of worldly barriers, gradually free of tender romance. Lovers taste buds often grow fervent on uncharted regions. What marks a great taste of pleasure, tender and intense? - The stolen ecstasy of erotic moments, secret and forbidden. Notes: 1.     Sheng: a traditional wind musical instrument made with bamboo pipes. Appreciation: I’d say this poem stands out as a 101 of Su Shi’s collection. Of all the romantic poems or lines he wrote, rarely do we find his attempt to the limits on the very private feelings on sensual pleasures. The pornographic vibes under the lines could send a shock wave in readers mind, adding colour to his profile as one of the greatest mind in Chinese history. The composition took place in the early spring of 1078. One day, Dongpo received a gift from his friend Zhang Jie (章楶), a general and a poet. It was a painting of Cui Wei, the famous beauty and singer of the Tang Dynasty. Dongpo’s immediate association led him to the famous love story by Tang’s writer Yuanzhen (元稹) (A Tale of Yingying 《莺莺传》) - a romantic story on the collisions between love and identity, and between eroticism and social duties. It started with their meeting at a banquet where they fell in love at first sight. The romance was structured on and off interrupted by his career expectations and family responsibilities. Their virtues were challenged by worldly judgements. In the end, both ended up marrying a different person but still missing each other. Considering the age he married and the era he lived, it was common for a gentleman like him to have mistress in the entertainment sector. It was more likely considered romance rather than adultery. So his bold and vivid comments on the stolen ecstasy could be from a personal experience. The language style bears an amusing tone, as if he was just raising a laugh to entertain his friends there while enjoying the painting. Similar poems on sensual pleasure are widely found in British literature, with more frankness in explicit terms, such as in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 58, Sonnet 151, and also in his play Much Ado about Nothing, and of course more to be found in Lord Byron’s romantic poems. Reference: 1.  Baikebaidu.com（百度百科） 2. Oxford Academic (Oxford University Press)/ Shakespeare and Sexuality by Stanly Wells; 3. Picture from Google search on

西江月.黄州中秋 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.03) 世事一场大梦， 人生几度秋凉。 夜来风叶已鸣廊， 看取眉头鬓上。 酒贱常愁客少， 月明多被云妨。 中秋谁与共孤光, 把盏凄然北望。 My Moon Festival at Huangzhou -to the tune The Moon over River West Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Zizhan', art name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Mar. 2024) We’re living in a big world of illusion and dream Where you could be shattered in cold and in heat. The wind whistles thru the trees falling more leaves Onto the porch to ruffle my temples’ shades of grey. A bright moon is often shrouded by some clouds. A poor wine can’t make a busy place you need. With whom could the loner share the festive night? Just a wine toast to the north sky, with misty eyes. Appreciation: What would you write after you had just experienced the worst challenge in life? It was September 1080 when Su Shi was thrown into prison and stayed there for 103 days in the filthy dark cell pit after having fallen into a political setup by his opponents, -- the biggest downturn from a most-trusted high official by the Throne to a prisoner who’s not sure if he could see the next sunrise. So here’s what he wrote on the first Moon Festival at Huangzhou where he stayed in a temple with a void title and very mean salary – a typical parole life of a banished politician in the Song dynasty. His temple hair quickly turned grey as he was utterly shattered by the unexpected shock. The loss of status and wealth made him see more clearly about the nature of life here. Still, the festival of reunion brought back all the good memories of the past. The philosophical insight was not enough for a breakthrough of the lonely sentiments yet. He was seized with the humiliation and had to spend the moon night with a lonely heart. Fortunately, as we know, he didn’t sink there but rose above all miseries with a free spirit and broad-minded sophistication soon in Huangzhou and stood the tests as all other great minds in history. Reference: picture from sohu.com

临江仙.送钱穆父 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.03) 一别都门三改火， 天涯踏遍红尘。 一笑仍然作春温。 无波真古井， 有节是秋筠。 惆怅孤帆连夜发， 送行淡月微云。 樽前不用翠眉颦。 人生如逆旅， 我亦是行人。 A Farewell Drink with Qian Mufu -to the tune of The Celestial Man by the River Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Mar. 2024) Since last time we parted at the capital city gate, Three times we’ve changed for the same kindling. Travelling the world not by choice but by fate, You still honour the smile like a breath of spring. The deep old well doesn’t stir a single wave. A bamboo tree gets joints for integrity in autumn. It’s a shame this very night will see you sail away Just yourself, a pale moon, and wandering clouds. When can we meet again after the drink of today? Don’t frown, singing girl, your young eyebrows.- Life is just a long journey of toil and moil. And I, also a wanderer in the endless crowd. Appreciation: The year 1091 saw Su Shi governing Hangzhou again in the east of China. It was a very productive time for him not just in poetry but in his contributions to the city. His friend Mufu, however, was undergoing a downturn in his career being assigned from the capital to Yuezhou, a populous place south of the Yangtse River, and then to Yingzhou, a desolate town up north that had been heavily struck by earthquake, flood and long drought. The grim prospect of the challenging post as Yingzhou Governor could have crushed a gentleman’s expectation for a promising career, but Qianmu was a man with a free and easy attitude towards life changes, still able to stay optimistic with a smile about the hardship ahead. Dongpo deeply admired his sophisticated and mature personality, comparing him to a calm well surface and bamboo of upright integrity. Then he was a bit sad as the short reunion came to an end, sighing that his friend had to continue his journey up north. Well, sadness could touch him but never stayed in him for long, as we all know. His optimistic vigour would soon turn him to the sunny side, well this time, to a broad-minded acceptance of sufferings, making peace with whatever comes along on his own journey. The whole poem is about his friend, but every line is also a reflection of Dongpo himself. Reference: picture from 知乎@李兆香

春宵 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.03) 春宵一刻值千金， 花有清香月有阴。 歌管楼台声细细， 秋千院落夜沈沈。 A Hymn to Spring Night Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Mar. 2024) The spring night values a thousand in real gold. - Bustling blossoms revel in refreshing fragrance, With dreaming moonlight roving the secret grove. Rhyming with the scented air is a song so sweet, - A flute melody from the floodlit tower and terrace, Rippling past a garden swing to my spring dream. Appreciation: The composition time for this beautiful little poem is yet unknown, which leaves us with more imaginations. It could be a happy period in his early or prime years where he was enjoying a great night celebrating with friends, or a solitary night where he was just a distant observer of the happy scene. What have you figured out?  Please share your comments  below. The first line has become a famous saying often used to emphasize how much we should cherish a budding spring night, usually implying sensual enjoyments for lovers.  The romantic vibes stream vividly from a blooming garden gilded by the soft and serene moonlight, to the captivating music, through the empty swing, and further to his sweet dream. Now your imagination is taking you beyond, wondering about the beauty that was giggling on the swing and smiling in his dream… Reference: picture from 搜狐号@残阳落幕

西江月·平山堂 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.02) 千骑试春游， 小雨如酥落便收。 能使江东归老客， 迟留。 白酒无声滑泻油。 飞火乱星球， 浅黛横波翠欲流。 不似白云乡外冷， 温柔。 此去淮南第一州。 My Lantern Festival at Suzhou -to the tune of Nanxiangzi Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Feb. 2024) Nature’s fresh again as misty rain sooths the terrain. Horses and carriages bustle out for a taste of spring. Why not stay longer for the beautiful wine in here? and what’s more, This old boy feels at home in East of Yangtse River. The sky’s vibrant with bursting fire stars and flowers Over rolling hills of budding green n rippling waters. Life on earth is cosier than up there above the clouds. and there’s more, - I’m heading to ‘East Huainan’s Best’, Zhenzhou Town. Notes: 1.     Lantern Festival: The Chinese New Year, usually in February, is a traditional festival to celebrate the starting of the spring season, hence called also “ the Spring Festival”. Lantern Festival is the last day, or more accurately, the 15th evening when people can celebrate under the first full moon of the Chinese lunar year.  It is also a time when people start spring outings to the country. The bustling streets are decorated with colourful lanterns, and shops sell them with riddles written on them. The customer with the right answer is often rewarded with the lantern or some other gift. The festive atmosphere is highest when there are lion and fireworks, dragon dances, parades, and other local celebrations. Every family will eat small glutinous rice balls, called ‘yuanxiao’. The round shape of food and the round moon all send out people’s best wishes for the new year for more family reunions and more fulfilments in life. 2.     East of Yangtse River: sometimes referred to River South (江南) in Zhejiang province in East China today. River East has been generally considered as the richest area since Song dynasty. River South prevails after Southern Song moved its political centre to Ling’an, Hangzhou which was the actual capital city, the very source of the Silk Road, a most advanced place on Earth back then. 3.     East Huainan’s Best: referring to Huainan Road East (Today’s Yangzhou area in the east of China) which is not a road but an administrative state like today’s province in China, with a population of 1.3 million at the time. It was considered as one of the richest and most advanced districts in the Song Dynasty, governing 10 prefectures with Yangzhou as the government centre and Zhenzhou recognized as the No 1 town of Huainan. Appreciation: There are two regions where he would like to settle for his retirement, which had been lingering in Su Shi’s mind ever since his prime years,  but never really came true in his life just like Lord Xie in his “Fairwell to my Friend Canliao” (‘I shall return on the waves of Yangtze River, -/A deal sealed like Lord Xie’s to retire in the east.’《八声甘州.寄参寥子》). One wish was to return to his native place Meizhou at the foot of Mt Min, considered then the source of the Yangtse River in the west of China. The other wish was also a return, but to his new home in the east of China, the beautiful lower region of the Yangtse River before it feeds to East Sea. It has been the most popular choice among Chinese gentlemen since the Song. It has been a most prosperous region of China, even today. The time for this spontaneous composition could be 1085 after Huangzhou and before his new post in East China. It could be during the celebration where he enjoyed a few cups of wine with his friends. Readership can easily feel the free and breezy vibes under each line. The poem opens with a broad picture of a bustling town in his favourite east of the River, followed by the night celebration with lanterns and fireworks. ‘Life on earth’ implies his love for a life among the people, whereas ‘up there above the clouds’ connotes the Forbidden City in the Capital. Reference: baikebaidu.com picture from逆水寒开发组 n.163.com

八声甘州.寄参寥子 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.02) 有情风万里卷潮来， 无情送潮归。 问钱塘江上，西兴浦口， 几度斜晖？ 不用思量古今， 俯仰昔人非。 谁似东坡老， 白首忘机。 记起西湖西畔， 正暮山好处，空翠烟霏。 算诗人相得， 如我与君稀。 约它年、东还海道， 愿谢公、雅志莫相违。 西州路，不应回首， 为我沾衣。 Fairwell to my Friend Canliao - to the tune of “The Eight-Line Ganzhou” Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Feb. 2024) The Wind arrives with delight, Racing the roaring waves from ocean wide. With regret he departs, Taking back to sea heart the receding tides. I recall our good times at Xixin Port, watching sunset clouds of Qiantang River mouth. Even for the greatest men of all times, A lifetime is just a twinkling of an eye. Yet Dongpo was slow, didn’t know to let go, Not till this late, not till this old. In poetry our friendship took roots, blossoming. Such a precious life gift. Such a blessing. We both love west hills of West Lake in light mist, To see sunrays streaming through budding leaves. Life is a humorous seesaw ride. Who knows to where tomorrow leads? I shall return on the waves of Yangtze River, - A deal sealed like Lord Xie’s to retire in the east. Please let it be if things ran against our desire. Even at Xizhou Gate, don’t cry for the old me. Notes: 1.     Canliao: the social name of the monk Daoqian, a lifelong friend of Dongpo; He was exceptionally good at Buddist scriptures and also at poetry. He followed Su Shi to Huangzhou, helping his best friend going through the first banishment period. They were like soul mates, appreciating each other for the Buddhist insight into the nature of life and the profound enjoyment in poetry. 2.     Xixin Port:  a place south of the Qiantang River near the river mouth;  Today it is Xilin community in Hangzhou; It must be a favoured place where Dongpo and Canliao visited often for the panoramic view of the beautiful sunset over the tides of Qiantang River mouth. 3.     Qiantang River mouth: famous still today for its majestic view of the roaring tides swallowing the river as it feeds into the sea. It has been depicted in many artistic works throughout Chinese history. 4.     Lord Xie: (320-385 AC) a famous politician of the Jin Dynasty;  According to The History of the Jin Dynasty - A Biography of Xie’an, he was offered high posts in the Court, but didn’t accept them as he was determined to lead a secluded life in east China, namely, East Hill, Kuaiji (today’s Shaoxin, Zhejiang Province), where the Chinese phrases “东山之志“，“东山再起” are sourced from. It was not until the Throne got annoyed and punished his family that he finally took the role of Sima (similar to today’s Prime Minister) and achieved huge success. Although he was cherished and respected in the Court, he never gave up his will of returning to his East Hill. He had become an iconic legendary figure for the gentlemen society in later dynasties for living a detached lifestyle as against a chaotic life in pursuit of fame. The Jin dynasty is also well-known for the elegant manners and good eloquence of the gentry class. 5.     Xizhou Gate: a city gate (located in today’s Nanjing City); According to The History of the Jin Dynasty - A Biography of Xie’an, Xie’an had a nephew whom he loved dearly. The young man couldn’t bear the sight of Xizhou Gate that saw the death of his beloved uncle. He would avoid going anywhere near it as he couldn’t hold tears from running down his chest. Appreciation: It was 1091 that saw the birth of this fantastic farewell poem. Dongpo was promoted again from the Governor of Hangzhou to the Head of Hanlin Academy (or Imperial Academy), a post like the Secretary General to the Emperor, usually regarded then as an important role like the Deputy to the Prime Minister. This poem is intense in the theme yet very simple in the wording. It seems that it’s so structured that it can outstand other farewell poems no matter how much the readership could capture under the line as it allows multi-layers of understanding. Usually we are advised to start composing a poem by gently ushering the readers in by introducing something ordinary, familiar or easy to the eye, leaving the theme to the last couplet. It requires profound mastering of the art to start strong as in this one. Our poet Dongpo strikes his theme right in the beginning, emphasizing his deep feelings towards this friendship and a philosophical insight into the evolving nature of universal rules. Very powerful momentum is felt there on the horizontal spectacle, and then on the vertical line of history. The scene echoes with the sentiments, well blended to emphasize how much he appreciated their beautiful memories of their detached life moments in embracing the wonders of nature, and their great times together seeking spiritual enlightenment. There are two main natural features carefully chosen to enhance the theme. First, the well-known and most powerful tides at Qiantang River mouth which stand for the inevitable passing of time, a regret all humans share about life. The second is the glorious sunset and the sunbeams flickering through budding green by West Lake, a golden yellow shower over the misty hills. Some say the colour of friendship is golden yellow. Here, a blessed bond of two life friends shines like the many shades of the golden yellow colour that embodies passion, hope, intuition, wisdom, and tangible glory like the sun. It’s also the favourite colour of the great artist Van Gogh who once said: “How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun.” He used it to express his cosy memories of the precious time with the girl he loved. Reference: 《百度百科》 picture from《大纪元》

自题金山画像 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.02) 心似已灰之木， 身如不系之舟。 问汝平生功业， 黄州惠州儋州。 Self-inscription for a Painting of Me at Jinshan Temple Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Feb. 2024) My heart is like a tree burned down to ash. My body is a floating boat fully detached. If you wish to know the life strokes I wrote, Just go to Huangzhou, Huizhou ’n Danzhou. Appreciation: This short poem was an improvisational writing when he saw a painting of him by the famous artist Li Gonlin (李龙眠，字公麟). It is a long sigh of deep despair towards his unfulfilled ambition for his country. A strong sadness and self-ridicule are woven together in the 24 simple words, but every word seems to have the power to leave you dewy-eyed if you know his story. He didn’t mention any of the places where he had made achievements with remarkable strokes of genius, such as Mizhou, Xuzhou, and Hangzhou. Instead, he chose to mention the three places of his banishment where he and his followers were unable to assist much as civil servants when the nation was in need. The phrase “a floating boat fully detached” implies a Daoist state of setting the mind free from worldly attachment to national matters. To Dongpo, Daoism had been a retreat but never could he give up his caring mind for the benefit of the Song people. After all, he was a man of the people and for the people. But now he was at the age of 63, and the three banishments had left him in poor health. He knew his life journey was coming to an end.  It does read like a summary of his life on his deathbed, or, as a farewell poem at a funeral ceremony. And, as it happened he died just two months later. Life is so implicit, like a book with no words in it but full of invisible energy. It seems all his experiences were designed for his strokes of genius in art creation. He spent all his life trying to achieve a successful political career, yet a thousand years later, we witness his side products win over the core product.  He was unfulfilled in his political career but fulfilled in poetry, prose, painting, calligraphy, and even in kitchen cuisine. Reference: picture from sohu.com - 《走进苏东坡的春天》

An Ode to the Welcome Swallows (Composed under the big oak at Montpellier Garden near my home at Cookson Way Burwood, Vic AU in spring 2022) By Julia Min Underneath the blooming crab-apples, underneath the golden pagoda trees, they flutter around me near the big oak, a canopy over a hundred years of growth. From left to right they dash in low circles, just like the keenest surveyors of this oval. Looking closer: they’re such teeny angels, with the back dark blue, wings dark grey, reflecting sunbeams as they wing sideways. Their bellies play fluffy waves in the wind, and tails are mottled, styled in fork shape, matching the big curve of stretched wings. There, a third one came for a chasing game. she’s closely followed by her darling mate. For hours two teams play the frenzy chase. Magpies tried swooping at them but failed. Big birds are no match in agile flying pace. Weeny ones can beat them in a long race. Background story: I often marvel at the Australian welcome swallows that fly so close to the ground and dashing near you like light. They are much smaller than the Chinese swallows but prettier. I saw them often during spring season at the oval nearby home and on our golf course at Riversdale Club. Picture from https://realworldgardener.podbean.com/e/real-world-gardener-welcome-swallow-in-wildlife-in-focus/