临江仙· 梅 (欧阳公作《蝶恋花》，有“深深深几许”之句，予酷爱之。 用其语作“庭院深深”数阕，其声即旧《临江仙》也。) 原作：【宋】李清照 英译：闵晓红 庭院深深深几许， 云窗雾阁春迟。 为谁憔悴损芳姿， 夜来清梦好， 应是发南枝。 玉瘦檀轻无限恨， 南楼羌管休吹。 浓香吹尽有谁知， 暖风迟日也， 别到杏花肥。 The Plum Blossoms - to the tune of Linjiangxian translated by Julia Min Far into the mist extends the private garden. Barred cloud enfolds tops of pavilions For whom in winter frost is she waiting? Must be the flirting buds on south branches Her cold dreams feel so cosy with sweet kisses. Stop playing the song “The Fall of Crimsons” When she’s blushing with delicate blossoms. Would this gentle grace win her love’s glimpse Or Spring wind cares for her happiness, Or her pilgrim soul lived to see prunus blooms. Appreciation: This ci poem was composed in her early days (1129). Together with another one (Lingjiangxian – How deeply shrouded her courtyard), they read like twins. The first line starts with the same first line from Dielianhua by the great Song poet Ouyang Xiu. It was a popular practice in Chinese poetry where popular lines are copied or similar topic and rhyme followed in honor of the original poem. It was also regarded as a bold reaction to challenge the famous poem itself or the poet himself. We could easily come to the conclusion that Li Qingzhao must be highly recognized as a young poet at the time. Plum blossom is regarded as one the Four Gentlemen. The word ‘gentlemen’ doesn’t bear any gender reference now. It simply means ‘noble character’ . It has been one of the most written topic in Chinese poetry. Here our poet portrayed a young noble lady, living in a mansion with grand gardens and pools, falls into lonely sentiments first for the long winter and then for her young days passing so quickly without much warm memory of romance with her love. It’s a popular theme in literature but sparks with her extraordinary verse that brings in a charming and tempting aftertaste where the plum blooms and the lady in love are fused in a dreamy state, as in Zhang Zhou’s “Butterfly Dream”. She is here, and she’s not here, both invisible and physical, an epistemological quandary. Similar boudoir sentiments are widely found in western lady poets in the 19th . Anne Bronte wrote: “I love the silent hour of night, for blissful dreams may then arise, revealing to my charmed sight what may not bless my waking eyes.” Notes: 1. ‘shen shen shen’ repetition of one word for simple but stronger effect; one of Li Qingzhao’s favorite verse pattern as shown in her later works Shengshengman. So the influence could be from Ouyang Xiu. 2. ‘qiang guan xiu chui’: The fall of Blossoms, a famous musical piece of the time; 3. ‘shou’: tiny, delicate; 4. ‘hen’: pity, regret; 5. ‘fei’: in full bloom; Pinying and Word -For-Word Translation: lín jiāng xiān · méi tíng yuàn shēn shēn shēn jǐ xǔ ， yún chuāng wù gé chūn chí 。 wéi shuí qiáo cuì sǔn fāng zī ， yè lái qīng mèng hǎo ， yīng shì fā nán zhī 。 yù shòu tán qīng wú xiàn hèn ， nán lóu qiāng guǎn xiū chuī 。 nóng xiāng chuī jìn yǒu shuí zhī ， nuǎn fēng chí rì yě ， bié dào xìng huā féi 。

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

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

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

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》

汲江煎茶 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.01) 活水还须活火烹， 自临钓石取深清。 大瓢贮月归春瓮， 小杓分江入夜瓶。 雪乳已翻煎处脚， 松风忽作泻时声。 枯肠未易禁三碗， 坐听荒城长短更。 Making New Season Tea by a Spring Stream Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Jan. 2024) The best tea is boiled over a fresh fire With water fetched from a running stream. To the end of the fishing points on rocks I try to source clear water from the deep. The dipper stole the moon into my urn, A stream share to the kettle the scoop feeds. Soon it boils to a cream top of snowy foam, Tea grounds rolling up an aroma rich and sweet. Then I pour a thin stream of spring to my bowl,- A soothing sound like breeze down the pineries. The ‘three-bowl limit’ cannot be My cup of tea for the long night at this town, barren and bleak. Notes: 1.     new season tea: likely referring to Grain-Rain Tea in spring, a conventional preference of southern Chinese green tea lovers. Tea leaves picked before the Grain Rain (mid-April) tastes refreshing with a delicate fragrance, while the leaves after the season taste rich and sweet with a more sophisticated aroma, often used to make black tea. Su Shi could be making teas with the postseason Grain Rain tea. 2.     a cream top of snowy foam: likely referring to matcha (tea grounds / powder) made from tencha in a small wooden or stone tool. Boiling tea leaves won’t produce a creamy top, but tea grounds do. 3.     ‘three-bowl limit’:  a famous comment by Lu Tong (卢仝), a poet of the Tang Dynasty – “the first bowl moistens the mouth. The second bowl drives away loneliness. The third bowl opens your creative mind. …” Appreciation: This tea poem was composed during spring in 1100 at Hainan Island, “the end of the world” as often called by ancient Chinese writers. The new season tea could be sourced from local friends or students. Although he was banished as far as his political opponent could find on the Song map, he was able to find peace in his mind with his surrounding world, wild and desolate as it could be. Tea culture has been woven into the tapestry of Chinese culture like silk that defines Chinese fine costumes. With only a few lines Su Shi drew a motion picture of tea-making in the Song Dynasty where we immediately sense a big difference from what we do today. Tell me what you have discovered here? Have you ever tried boiling tea instead of brewing it? Tea was largely introduced to Britain during the colonial period which saw it being highly appreciated by the upper class in the early decades before becoming affordable by the common people. I can still recall my visit to a castle in Scotland in 1998 where I saw a crafted tea drawer and I was told it was kept locked to avoid the servants stealing it as it was a privilege for the owners and their guests only. A similar understanding is shared in modern era by William Gladstone (a former British prime minister 1809-1898) in his poem “Brew a Cup a Tea” -- “When the world is all at oddsAnd the mind is all at sea,/Then cease the useless tedium/And brew a cup of tea./There is magic in its fragrance,/There is solace in its taste;/And the laden moments vanish/Somehow into space./And the world becomes a lovely thing!/There’s beauty as you’ll see;/All because you briefly stopped/To brew a cup of tea.” Reference: baikebaidu.com 百度百科 picture from the website: 《澎湃新闻》澎湃号·湃客

定风波·常羡人间琢玉郎 （王定国歌儿曰柔奴，姓宇文氏，眉目娟丽，善应对，家世住京师。定国南迁归，余问柔：“广南风土， 应是不好？”柔对曰：“此心安处，便是吾乡。”因为缀词云。） 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.01) 常羡人间琢玉郎， 天应乞与点酥娘。 尽道清歌传皓齿， 风起， 雪飞炎海变清凉。 万里归来年愈少 微笑， 笑时犹带岭梅香。 试问岭南应不好， 却道： 此心安处是吾乡。 I often admire my friend Dingguo -to the tune “Pacify the Turbulence” (My friend Dingguo Wang has a concubine in the name of Rounu Yuwen. She used to be a singing girl with attractive appearance and remarkable eloquence. When Dingguo was banished to Hainan, she decided to go with him, leaving her hometown, the capital city. I asked her: “Life in the south of Guangdong must be very hard?” She answered: “ My home is where my heart can find peace.” Thus I composed this ci poem.) Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Jan. 2024) I often admire my friend who shines with beauty and brain, and also blessed with a charming wife by his side. She has the softest voice of a legend singer, Like a cool breeze on the snow field, Soothing a heart in a scorching summer. Their life at Hainan should be just as hard, yet the hardship failed to make a mark. She’s back with a younger smile and a sweet scent, A faint fragrance from the island’s plum blossoms. How could it be? She answered at ease: “My home is where my heart can find peace.” Appreciation: Wang Gong (王巩，social name: Dingguo 定国) had now finished his banishment life in Hainan Island, the south of Guangdong Province. His concubine Rounu, like Dongpo’s concubine Zhaoyun, shared the hard life in the desolate south of Guangdong then. She was not only good at dancing and singing but also a good doctor, an influence from her father and her father’s peer friend who kindly took the young girl in as a disciple after her father was prisoned due to an evil setup. It was likely the end of 1085 when this ci was composed. Su Shi was then arrived at the capital from Huangzhou. It could be a friend’s party celebrating their returns, or rather, a return of the old party members to the Royal Court. This little poem is one of Su Shi’s best-known works owing to the last line, which is not Su Shi’s creation but a quote of Rounu’s original words. It has become a popular saying in dictionaries and also made Dingguo and Rounu live in poetry for over a thousand years. Similar theme is often touched in western world, such as the British top pop hit in the 1989 “ Blue Savannah” (… My home is where the heart is / Sweet to surrender…” Reference: 古诗文网 so.gushiwen.cn picture from 《希望之声》

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/

送子由使契丹 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.01) 云海相望寄此身，哪因远适更沾巾。 不辞驿骑凌风雪，要使天骄识凤麟。 沙漠回看清禁月，湖山应梦武林春。 单于若问君家世，莫道中朝第一人。 Upon Ziyou’s Departure on a Mission to Qidan Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Jan. 2024) A broad sea of clouds will set us apart, north and south. But don’t shed tears over the shared distance, near or far. After a rough ride braving frost and snow in desert wind, You’re yet to outbeat the ‘God’s Elites’ with your wisdom. When you look back at the moon on the Forbidden City, Keep your dreams alive around the hills and lakes of spring. Should the Chief wish to know your family status in Court, Don’t respond it’s renowned as the first in Middle Kingdom. Notes: 1.     Ziyou: the social name of Su Shi’s brother Su Zhe, also starting with ‘zi’, like Su Shi’s social name ‘Zizhan’, which defines the same generation. 2.     Qidan: a nation of herdsmen tribes in the north of the Song territory that established itself as Liao State for about 200 years. Strong in fighting on the horse, it had been a threat to Great Song along northern borders. An agreement of peace was reached between the two countries where the Song contributed silk and silver to Liao every year. 3.     ‘God’s Elites’: the Huns claimed themselves as the chosen tribes by heaven, their God. 4.     The Forbidden City: referring to Royal Palace in Bianliang City, the capital of Northern Song, also the centre of Middle Kingdom (Kaifeng today); Appreciation: 1089 saw Su Shi governing Hangzhou for the 2nd time amid his second rise in political status after his first banishment to Huangzhou. He was 58 years old then, still the same man with the same character and eloquence, but touched with more confidence and caution. As the Senior Scholar of Hanlin Academy( 翰林大学士), similar to today’s Secretary General of State, Su Zhe was sent by the Emperor to Qidan to celebrate the birthday of the Huns’ Chief of state. It was a humiliating period in history where the Song, an old Empire, had to pay tribute to a new nation of barbarian tribes. Su Shi had every reason to feel concerned for his dear brother as the Qidan men had killed ambassadors before. Yet the last couplet could be often pointed out by critics for its boldness in claiming the Su family as the first in the Song. Modesty is embraced in Chinese culture as a very important virtue of a gentleman, so critics would comment that he shouldn’t say it even though the Su’s were and had been so throughout history as there are three Su gentlemen in the “Eight Greatest Minds of the Tang and the Song” – Su Xun (the father), Su Shi (the older son) and Su Zhe (the younger son). Reference: baikebaidu.com 百度百科 picture from 知乎@榆木斋

六月二十日夜渡海 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译: 闵晓红(2024.01) 参横斗转欲三更，苦雨终风也解晴。 云散月明谁点缀，天容海色本澄清。 空余鲁叟乘桴意，粗识轩辕奏乐声。 九死南荒吾不恨，兹游奇绝冠平生。 Crossing the Strait in June on the 20th Day Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') English translation: Julia Min (Jan. 2024) The dark night is fading for the break of dawn, The stars, Hunter and Dipper, dimming away. At last the endless wind and rain come to an end, Giving way to a bright moon and beaming waves; - Free of murky haze, free of extras as contrast, Just a pure world by nature, a serene seascape. No regret for the deadly journey at world’s edge, I’ve lived it to the fullest, to the most exotic quest;- A real taste of Confucius floating life on the sea, A rough touch of Xuanyuan’s music and philosophy. Notes: 1.     June: all the dates in Ancient Chinese literature refer to the Lunar Calendar which is usually one month behind the Solar Calendar. So, 20 June is about the end of July on the Solar Calendar. 2.     Hunter and Dipper: two most recognizable star constellations often mentioned in literature. 3.     world’s edge: Hainan Island was regarded as the furthest continent to the sea, hence often called in history as ‘the end of the world’. 4.     Confucius ‘floating life on the sea’: originated from Confucius words: should my theory not accepted by the Rulers of the states, I would have a floating life on the sea (据《论语·公冶长》载，孔子曾说：“道（王道）不行，乘桴浮于海。”) 5.     Xuanyuan: the legendary Yellow Emperor (some simply call him ‘Huangdi’黄帝)， reign dates said to be 2697–2597 BC. One day, the Emperor played music by Dongting Lake (洞庭湖) and talked about his understanding of universal rules, offering a profound insight into the mystic ways of changes and transformation. Appreciation: It was the year 1100 when Dongpo was finally pardoned by the Emperor and granted a return to the north. The New Law and the New Party had met their limits. Su Shi and his followers were on the Court’s agenda again. He was 60 years old, wishing to settle at his favorite place Changzhou (常州) , away from the chaos of the political platform. Unfortunately, the 7-year hardship in the desolate south borders took its toll, leaving him only a year in this world. So this is one of the last poems he composed. We could clearly feel his excitements that he could go back home now, as a banishment to Hainan was then taken as a death sentence. The first part on the seascape is just a reflection of his mind, the joy of becoming a free man again. The last few lines express his broadminded attitude towards the three-year experience in the island. Life’s pressure had only made him stronger in spirit, and more modest and mature in expressing his philosophy about the world. Reference: baikebaidu.com 百度百科 picture from 每日头条--梧桐树边羽

浣溪沙 . 旋抹红妆看使君（其一） 原作：苏轼 英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 旋抹红妆看使君， 三三五五棘篱门。 相挨踏破茜罗裙。 老幼扶携收麦社， 乌鸢翔舞赛神村。 道逢醉叟卧黄昏。 All the women run back home for a quick make-up （ Poem One） - to the tune of Huanxisha written by: Sh Shi ( 11th century) translated by: Gordon Osing and Julia Min All the women run back home for a quick make-up. In threes and fives they gather as the governor comes. Pushing each other on tiptoes at the bramble gates, the whole village is out with offerings to their gods. The crows and eagles are diving low in greed, folk songs and drums inviting gods to the streets. By dusk no one’s around but me a bit drunk,-- an old man sleeping it off in the settling dust. Appreciation: For appreciation, please go to the last poem in this series: Blossoms of date trees rain down on shirts and kerchiefs. Reference: 1. baike.baidu.com (百度百科) 5. All pictures are selected from google search.