狱中寄子由 （予以事系御史台狱，狱吏稍见侵，自度不能堪，死狱中，不得一别子由，故作二诗授狱卒梁成，以遗子由，二首。） 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 旧版英译:戈登.奥赛茵, 闵晓红, 黄海鹏(1990) 新版及赏析: 闵晓红(2023) 圣主如天万物春， 小臣愚暗自亡身。 百年未满先偿债， 十口无归更累人。 是处青山可埋骨， 他年夜雨独伤神。 与君世世为兄弟， 更结来生未了因。 From Prison to My Brother Ziyou ( I was put into prison at the Censorate where the guards were a bit hard on me. I reckon I might not be able to make it, and fear not having the opportunity to see my brother for the last time. So I write my last two poems and ask the guards to deliver them to Ziyou.) written by Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') old En. trans. by G. Osing, J. Min & H. Huang (1990) Revision+ annot. by Julia Min (2023) The emperor is our heaven, our great saint, Bringing us hope just like the promising spring. But my ignorance’s bent on self-destruction. This body, though not old, deserves punishment to clear my debt possibly owed before this life. So sorry to burden you with a household of ten. Don’t worry about a good place for my tomb. Any green hill is decent enough for my bones. I regret leaving you alone to future night rains. But promise to be a better brother, a better man. Not just the next life, but many to come and spend. Together, we’ll fulfill this unfinished sibling bond. Appreciation: The year 1079 witnessed a turning point not only for Su Shi's life but also for the freedom of speech that had been largely enjoyed over hundreds of years in China. Yes, he was arrested in Huzhou and sentenced to prison at the Censorate （御史台nicknamed ‘the Crows’ Court’乌台）not because of his doings but because of his speech via poems being bent by others in their interpretation to the emperor. Three months of near-death suffering filled him with fears and worries for his family. A striking change in life always brings a striking change inside a person. For Su Shi, we see a deeper philosophical understanding of life, and a growing inclination to return to the mountains, to lead a Daoist life on rivers and seas. As the New Law was enacted further across the country, many of his followers suffered different levels of punishment from the Court after his banishment to Huangzhou. Just like the misunderstanding of his poems by Emperor Shenzong due to his political opponents, this poem was also an outcome of a misunderstanding of a fish dish. He agreed with his son Su Mai to bring a fish dish should it be a death sentence, otherwise, just meat and veggies. One day Mai couldn’t make it, sending his friend for the errand instead, who had caught a nice fish, wanting to treat the poet with his, normally, favorite dish. The near-death sentiments emerged into two poems, the content of which could be almost read as his will on death bed. He was only 44 years old and had a family of ten to support. Now he had to ask his brother to take the burden. Reference: 1. Blooming Alone in Winter by Gordon Osing, Julia Min, and Huang Haipeng， published by the People's Publication House Henan Province in 1990 (《寒心未肯随春态》戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红，黄海鹏) (“From Prison to my Brother Zi You" – "Noble Emperor Shengzong be praised! Everything is in spring./ Political foolishness brought me down this road to doom./ I’m not old yet, and still ask you to pay my debts. / I trouble you with my ten mouths to feed, and no home. / My body you can bury any place the hills are green. / A year from now you’ll grieve alone on nights it rains./ Listen, in this life and the next we will be brothers./ Our love’s not finished, not in this world or any other.”) 2. picture from the magazine

念奴娇.中秋 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 英译及赏析: 闵晓红(2023) 凭高眺远，见长空万里，云无留迹。 桂魄飞来，光射处，冷浸一天秋碧。 玉宇琼楼，乘鸾来去，人在清凉国。 江山如画，望中烟树历历。 我醉拍手狂歌，举杯邀月，对影成三客。 起舞徘徊风露下，今夕不知何夕？ 便欲乘风，幡然归去，何用骑鹏翼！ 水晶宫里，一声吹断横笛。 A Blissful Night on the Moon Festival -to the tune of Niannujiao written by Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') En. trans.+ annot. by Julia Min ( 2023) This pavilion on the hill enjoys a splendid sight: The solitary Moon, motionless in a cloudless sky, Takes the autumn world under her cold light. Many deities are flying there on phoenix tonight To gather in her honour at the jade palace high. She’s at her fullest of the year, a serene delight. I can almost spot the big laurel tree veiled in haze, Overlooking the smooth river, the hills alongside. I start to sing to this tune, clapping at the same time. And dance a twisted humour to a twisting shadow. A toast to Goddess Luna! I hold my wine cup high, For it’s not solo but trio with Her and my shadow! The tipsy mind feels not the cold wind nor the frost night, Wondering about the moon: what year up there tonight? Could I return to heaven riding the wind sans wings? I’d play my flute to make the crystal world dewy-eyed. Notes: 1. on phoenix: Chinese legend has it that the deities travel on phoenix in the Moon world. 2. jade palace: According to Chinese legend, the moon is a crystal world. This has been described in many Chinese stories that there are mansions on the Moon built with jade; Chinese have always believed the calendar in Heaven is different from the one on Earth, 3. laurel tree: again from Chinese legend that there’s a huge bay laurel on the moon; The symbolic meaning associates with purity, glory and success both in the east and the west. 4. the smooth river: refers here the Yangtze River, the 2nd longest river in the world. 5. trio with Her and my shadow: a sentimental scene borrowed from the famous Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai’s verse (李白“举杯邀明月,对影成三人”); 6. what year up there: Chinese have always believed the calendar in Heaven is different from the one on Earth, hence the question. A sense of humour is sensed here implying the big gap between these two worlds. Appreciation: Only a few years ago in 1076, Su Shi wrote what was considered the best of poems for the Moon Festival – WHEN WAS THE MOON EVER SO BRIGHT ( 水调歌头.明月几时有). It was a moment of loneliness after his wife’s death and the absence of family reunion with his brother Ziyou in the last seven years. Although there was a touch of thought of leaving the hustle and bustle of his official world, away from his social and political attachments, he was led to believe the earthly joy was much cosier than the cold life of Heaven. Back then he was still full of expectations for a happier worldly life. Whereas now, in this poem, a new chapter is painted with a near-death experience of 3-month imprisonment after a political setup by his opponent followed by an exile life to a remote town Haungzhou. He didn’t know then that this was just the first of three banishments that were meant to marginalize him from the dominant political circle. This year 1082 saw him with his 2nd wife and kids at Huangzhou where they had to farm in the fields to have food on the table, but at least he was with his family on the Moon Festival, a family reunion time of the year. The utterly lonely melancholy obviously came out of his disappointment at the New Law that brought more hazards for the country and he didn’t get a chance to do anything about it. His mind was led by imagery about life in Heaven, not much said about life on Earth compared with his previous poem for the Festival. The connotation is to completely let go of his worldly attachment and fly to an ever-widening world of heaven, the jade palace of the moon, and tell the celestials about his stories on Earth. A strong sense of liberation is stirred here in the last few lines pushing the wave of emotion to the peak and stop right there and then. A very powerful finish leaving the readership with heart beating against chest. Dramatic, romantic and inspiring…… Reference: 1. baike.baidu.com 百度 2. pictures from Google 3. other versions for your reference： https://y.qq.com/n/ryqq/mv/000IRvEY2jlLMH 喜马拉雅 https://m.ximalaya.com/waiyu/32890715/261743329

李思训画《长江绝岛图》 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 旧版英译:戈登.奥赛茵, 闵晓红, 黄海鹏(1990) 新版及赏析: 闵晓红(2023) 山苍苍,水茫茫， 大孤小孤江中央。 崖崩路绝猿鸟去， 唯有乔木搀天长。（chān tiān zháng） 客舟何处来？ 棹歌中流声抑扬。（zhào gē） 沙平风软望不到， 孤山久与船低昂。 峨峨两烟寰， 晓镜开新妆。 舟中贾客莫漫狂， 小姑前年嫁彭郎。 Islands in the Heart of Yangtse River -An ekphrasis on Li Sixun’s painting written by Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') old En. trans. by G. Osing, J. Min & H. Huang (1990) Revision+ annot. by Julia Min (2023) Along the rolling hills, the lushy green, A river winds beyond in glow and gleam. At the heart, standing proud, are two islands, Little Orphan and Big Orphan, in the stream. Since when the cliff road collapsed to waves. The monkeys left, only birds’ nests are seen. The trees hold fast, growing free without fear The limbs seeking the sky, the Starry River. There, a boat, fully loaded with men, appeared, Rowing out and singing loud to Little Orphan. They keep rolling up and down the dancing waves that fend the clean sandy beach off intruders. She tried a new hair bun in the morning mirror. The boat, rowing and rolling, gets no nearer. Hold your mind from running wild, sly tradesmen. She’s married to Peng Rock, there in the river. Notes: 1. Little Orphan and Big Orphan: Little Orphan Island is located at the feeding point before Boyang Lake water flows into Yangtse River. Whereas the Big Orphan Island is many miles away. They are so named based on legendary stories. Both appeared in the painting, so I figure it could be a horizontal roll that show a broad landscape of the river, the islands, the boat, the rock and surrounding hills, remarkably touched with green and blue colors favored by the famous painter. 2. tradesmen: tradesmen had always been lowly regarded for their sly morality as profit seekers, hence the name is often used to refer to men of a sly nature. ‘sly’ is deliberately added for a better understanding of a concept unique to China. 3. Peng rock: a Chinese homonym for the rock named Peng Lang (meaning Wave Rock) . The syllables sound the same in Chinese as 彭郎, meaning Mr Peng, the young Lad. The pun is lost in the translation but the symbolic meaning is well kept. Our poet used the popular folklore where the young lad named Peng Lang married his aunt, a young girl he was famously in love. Today, the Little Orphan Island, together with the Peng Lang Rock, is on the top list of scenic spots on the Yangtse River. Appreciation: What strikes me here is the extra values the poet added to the painting. I figure Su Shi was probably approached by the owner of the painting for the honour of an ekphrasis. The painter and the painting were already very famous. With Su Shi's poem, you could imagine the value of this art piece could rise like a rocket in the market. And indeed Su Shi met the expectation there in 1078 and has been cherished since then as one of the best among other ekphrasis. Unfortunately, the painting is no longer found today, only Su Shi's poem and many other writings about the artistic piece are sourced for its existence. It could be a panoramic view with lush green mountains on one side and a vast river dotted with two islands, a couple of boats, and a big blueish rock nestled on the other bank. Familiar with the local sites and the folklore behind them, Su Shi, however, had many vivid stories playing in his romantic heart -- the love story, a beauty dressing up in the river mirror, the monkeys and birds of the past, and the passengers' admiration for the beauty, and even the gently dancing waves had an intention of fending off the boat from her presence. Everything in the painting has come to life streaming before our eyes thanks to the rich message between the lines, and many more... hence why the Chinese say the poet can 'paint' the painting with words while the painter can 'write' the poetic painting with ink. You can’t find a better example than this -- Li Sixun created a painting with a poetic mind, while Su Shi composed the poem with the painting and the stories in his imagination. Reference: 1. Blooming Alone in Winter by Gordon Osing, Julia Min and Huang Haipeng，published by the People's Publication House Henan Province in 1990 (《寒心未肯随春态》戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红，黄海鹏) (“On Li Sixun’s Painting 'Beautiful islands in the Changjiang'”--They’re the darkest of greens, where the river sails from sight;/Dagu and Xiaogu, they divide the river between/Where the cliff-road’s collapse scared the monkeys and birds away/And only wild groves raise their limbs now to the sky./ Little launch on the river, do you sail out of nowhere?/Listen, your crew are singing deeply as they row./I see smooth sands, hear breezes, but can’t say where you go./I see you see the mountains grandly rise and fall beyond the waves./What phantom lady’s crowning glory dances in the smoke and haze?/But see, she dresses in her silver morning mirror – I’ll/Ask you tradesmen, keep your thoughts from running wild./The girl’s already married, to Peng Rock, there in the river. ”) 2. picture from the magazine Painting and Calligraphy Art 《书画艺术》via baike.baidu.com；

贺新郎.乳燕飞华屋 原作: 苏轼（11世纪北宋） 英译旧版: 戈登.奥赛茵, 闵晓红, 黄海鹏(1990) 英版修改: 闵晓红(2023) 乳燕飞华屋， 悄无人、桐阴转午， 晚凉新浴。 手弄生绡白团扇， 扇手一时似玉。 渐困倚、孤眠清熟。 帘外谁来推绣户？ 枉教人梦断瑶台曲。 又却是、风敲竹。 石榴半吐红巾蹙,（cù） 待浮花浪蕊都尽， 伴君幽独。 秾艳一枝细看取， 芳心千重似束。 又恐被、秋风惊绿。 若待得君来向此， 花前对酒不忍触。 共粉泪、两簌簌。(sù) When the Young Swallow Winged up the Grand Mansion - to the tune of “The First Flight of the Young Swallow” written by: Su Shi (1084) 1st En. trans.: G. Osing, J. Min & H. Huang (1990) En. revision: Julia Min (2023) When the young swallow winged up the grand mansion, No one was home to see, filling its own noon-shadow, the parasol tree. A lady emerged from her bath in the cool of the evening. Her hand is idle if busy at a round fan of fine silk, both seemingly jade, both in quiet motion. Even at this, she slowly wearies, reclines, and entered a sweet dream. But who’s that, knocking outside her brocade curtain. Nothing more than the bamboo trees shaking in the wind. When all the flashy petals and stamens vanished with Spring, No one here to comfort your loneliness, only The pomegranates, half-crowned, red scarf folds within. A closer look at any of the bright branches, each bloom is loaded with yearning sentiments, Fearing too they fell off if startled by autumn wind. Even at this, She’d hold on until your appearance To drink a toast to her beauty with tears, knowing also, This is her last crowning moment of blossoming. Appreciation: The Pomegranate tree in China represents passion and fertility, peace and prosperity. In this sentimental ci poem, Su Shi wrote in the tone of the beautiful lady whose melancholy grows with the passing of her spring days in loneliness. This could be written during an intellectual entertainment where the local singing girls and musicians ( called musical courtesans at the time) were called to perform the ci poems composed there and then by the attending gentlemen. Ci poems, like the English lyrics, are meant for singing but confined to a specific tune chosen by the poet. Chinese gentlemen society had been very fond of this game ever since the Tang Dynasty. It’s often referred to as “composing new ci to old tunes”. The Song dynasty saw a booming period where the number of tunes reached hundreds. It was common practice that the gentlemen would often express themselves in the tone of the singing girls to suit their performing at the centre of the hall. The surface themes usually presents a lonely beauty, flowers and her sentiments, whereas the deep connotations, if captured, often reveal the writers’ private sentiments about their official career, family life or hot topics of the time. This poem is a good example of such a dual-theme creation. The first stanza ushers in a lady who had a cosy and rosy dream, possibly a reunion with her mate. Then the scene is stopped short and shifted in the 2nd stanza to a pomegranate tree blooming perhaps in her inner garden among the dense greenery. It was summer and most flowers withered after their cluttered spring race of flashy shows. The red blossoms painted here are just a further association of the lady’s spiritual quality, her unique taste and strength in seeking true love and loyalty. Her yearnings become stronger as autumn is approaching with west wind, a growing fear of not being able to meet her love before her prime days are over. The hidden theme could well be Su Shi’s increased disappointment at the Royal Court during a downturn period which could be his banishment in Huizhou. According to Chen Gu in his book on famous people of the Song, Dongpo’s concubine Zhaoyun had a nickname “Liuhua” (i.e. Pomegranate Flower). She was the only one following him to Huizhou (a very desolate place then) after he had a new banishment at an age of 58 in 1094. Not only was she gifted for singing but also praised for her strength as a loyal life company. Su Shi valued her dearly as a soul mate. She was perhaps the only comfort for Su Shi other than poetry, but not for long. The severe climate and living condition of Huizhou took her away two years later. She was only 34. … … Reference: 1. Blooming Alone in Winter by Gordon Osing, Julia Min and Huang Haipeng，published by the People's Publication House Henan Province in 1990 (《寒心未肯随春态》戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红，黄海鹏) ("“To the Tune of Hexinglang” -- When the young swallow winged over the grand mansion,/No one was home to see, filling its own noon-shadow, the parasol tree. /Now from her bath at evening’s cool a lady comes./Her hand is idle if busy as her white, round silken fan, both seeming jade. /Even at this she gradually wearies, reclines, and passes into sleep. /But who’s that, at the outside curtain, knocking at her gate?/Nothing more than the wind shaking the bamboo together. //The red scarf folds of the half-bloomed pomegranate/Could comfort, Lady, your still loneliness./Look closely at any of her bright branches;/In each bloom’s fragrance is enfolded the heart of a girl,/Fearing only the dry winds of Autumn, that startle, leaving her green./If I delay until you come to this /I’ll not have heart to toast your weathered flower./Then two will weep together, hour by hour.") 2. 百度百科网站: 南宋陈鹄《耆旧续闻》录陆辰州语，说晁以道在看到东坡真迹后转告陆辰州说：苏轼有妾名朝云、榴花。朝云客死岭南，惟榴花独存，故苏词下阕专说榴花，并有“待浮花浪蕊都尽，伴君幽独”之语。 3. picture from Google；

有美堂暴雨 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 旧版英译:戈登.奥赛茵, 闵晓红, 黄海鹏(1990) 新版英译及赏析: 闵晓红(2023) 游人脚底一声雷， 满座顽云拔不开。 天外黑风吹海立， 浙东飞雨过江来。 十分潋滟金樽凸， 千杖敲铿羯鼓催。 唤起谪仙泉酒面， 倒倾鲛室泻琼瑰。 A Storm over Youmei Hall written by Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') old En. trans. by G. Osing, J. Min & H. Huang (1990) new En. trans.+ annot. by Julia Min ( Feb. 2023) Beneath my feet the Earth shudders in thunder. And Heaven’s darkening in rumbling anger. The trade winds hurl up walls of waves over. Rains, dark and furious, fly across the river. Big drops loud like the pounding on Jie drums, The West Lake’s alive as a winecup overfilled, The shower could sober up Li Bai from his cup To write poems like a mermaid’s pearls tumbled. Notes: 1. Youmei Hall: built in 1057 (Song) in honour of Emperor Renzong and named after his Majesty’s verse. Many poems and prose were written by notable men including Su Shi’s teacher Ouyang Xiu on the hall’s spectacular view of both Qiantang River and West Lake. 2. Jie drums: large and loud drum of the Jie People, used to be favoured by the Tang Emperor Xuan Zong; 3. Li Bai: one of the greatest Chinese poets from the Tang dynasty. Once he was summoned to the Emperor’s presence when he was still in a hangover, whereupon the Majesty ordered to douse him with cold water. When he sobered up, he broke into a frenzy of composition. Appreciation: Written in 1073 when Su Shi was still the deputy governor of Hangzhou, a very productive period for him not only as a civil servant but also as a poet. The famous destination Youmei Hall was located near Hangzhou city, a most developed place back then. The hall had been a hot topic for poetry, prose and paintings since its establishment. Any new piece of work would be judged heavily by critics against the masterpieces of the past on the subject. Just imagine how you would feel to compose a poem on daffodils after Wordsworth’s poem, or to paint the last supper after Leonardo da Vinci’s work, or to sing “Poetry in Motion” after Johnny Tillotson. I can almost feel the pressure there during his composition, which perhaps, turned to inspiration for his heroic current manifested in the vibes of this poem, as he was a man able to swim against the current. The poem has been indeed a most remembered one on Youmei Hall. You can’t help but being drawn to the dramatic yet powerful moment of a majestic summer storm played on the wide river surface, the surrounding hills, West Lake on the other side, and of course, the travellers on the top of Mt Wu. To match such momentum Su Shi touched upon the glorious Tang Empire -- the best known emperor and his drums, the romantic and untamed poet Li Bai, and even the legendary mermaid’s treasures for your wild imaginations. I’m right there beside him before the Hall, all wet through. Are you too? Wow! Reference: 1. Blooming Alone in Winter by Gordon Osing, Julia Min and Huang Haipeng，published by the People's Publication House Henan Province in 1990 (《寒心未肯随春态》戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红，黄海鹏) (“ A Storm Over Youmei Hall -- Earth breaks open under me;/ In wonderful anger Heaven is solid black;/ The darkness hurls-up great waves in the distance/ And furious rains cress the river with Easterlies./ The river’s alive as wine in my gold cup overfilled / The Jie are pounding drums demanding rain’s obedience. /Be quick, my soul, like Li Bai, when the King had him doused. / Upside down’s the mermaid’s house and all her pearls spilled.”) 2. pictures from Google

阳关曲.中秋月 --写给子由 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 旧版英译:戈登.奥赛茵, 闵晓红, 黄海鹏(1990) 新版修改及赏析: 闵晓红(2023) 暮云收尽溢清寒， 银汉无声转玉盘。 此生此夜不长好， 明月明年何处看。 The Mid- Autumn Moon (to Ziyou) -composed to “Yangguan Tune” written by Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') old En. trans. by G. Osing, J. Min & H. Huang (1990) Revision+ annot. by Julia Min (2023) Evening shadows gathered-in, A bright chill spills over the land. The jade plate spins As the Milky Way remains silent. This night, this life, -- No good time stays for good. Who knows, next year’s full moon, If we’ll see her together again? Notes: 1. Jade plate: the full moon; Appreciation: The Moon Festival is an important day for family reunion after the harvest, as Chinese believe the full moon represents fulfilment and union. This has been reflected in many things. For example, Chinese usually use round table for dining, and people with a round face is regarded as a happy face that would bring luck to the family. A circular shape corresponds with a square shape, a yin-yang balance as in nature with human society deriving ideas that, to a degree, shaped Chinese culture. This short ci lyric excels not only in the rhymes but also other poetry features like ‘pin ze’ and ‘dui zhang’ (平仄和对仗) which are special to Chinese poems thanks to the character form and sound benefits. It’s a ‘qi jue’ (七绝)，a strict 4 line format with 7 characters which is deliberately arranged based on yin-yang theory. This has been a popular poetic form (since 200s AC) with two couplets where every word or phrase echoes the previous line in grammatical function and tone, and the subjects should correspond with each other as well, such as ‘此生此夜’ with ’明月明年’（ ‘this night this life…/ next moon, next year….’） The subject is easier to capture for this short poem. It’s been 7 years separation for the brothers before this day and it happened to be such a blissful night together under the beautiful full moon and a serene cloudless sky dotted with the Milky Way. The first two line usher us into the natural scene, and then the subject turned to his sentiment in the second couplet, hinting the unpredictable future of official careers in a chaotic time of the Song during the practice of the New Law, where Su Shi and all his followers were faced with more turmoil on the way. A profound impact on the readership – ce la vie! Reference: 1. Blooming Alone in Winter by Gordon Osing, Julia Min and Huang Haipeng，published by the People's Publication House Henan Province in 1990 (《寒心未肯随春态》戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红，黄海鹏) (“The Mid- Autumn Moon -- Evening shadows gathered-in, a bright chill spills over the land. / The Milky Way is silent and the jade plate spins. / This night – this life – we don’t have the good things for long. / And next year’s moon – who knows? – if we’ll see her together again.”) 2. picture from calligraphy by Pan, Wangjing (潘望京书法)；

於潜女 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 旧版英译:戈登.奥赛茵, 闵晓红, 黄海鹏(1990) 新版英译及赏析: 闵晓红(2023) 青裙缟袂於潜女，两足如霜不穿屦。 觰沙鬓发丝穿柠，蓬沓障前走风雨。 老濞宫妆传父祖，至今遗民悲故主。 苕溪杨柳初飞絮，照溪画眉渡溪去。 逢郎樵归相媚妩，不信姬姜有齐鲁。 The Yuqian Women written by Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') old En. trans. by G. Osing, J. Min & H. Huang (1990) new En. trans.+ annot. by Julia Min ( Feb. 2023) Snow blouses, blue skirts, the Yuqian women wear. Their feet are pale as frost because they’re bare. Just a silver comb, in two loops they dress up hair; Wind or rain, their silver headbands stay, I swear. The palace style’s descended from Wu-Yue period To honour their King Qian, their legend figure. The willows start shedding catkins to Yun River. The women in fresh make-up cross it in gondola To charm their woodmen husbands on their return. No Yuqian man trades his girl for a posh lady fair. Notes: 1. ‘Yuqian’: a county about 200 km from Hangzhou. 2. ‘Wu-Yue’ and ‘King Qian’: King Qian (Qian, Miao钱镠) , the founder of Wu-Yue State during the Ten States period between the Tang and the Song. Hangzhou was the capital. To save his people from the catastrophe of a war with Song’s Zhao army, he gave up his crown for peace and the united Song Dynasty. Many famous men have come from the Qian family even in modern China. 3. ‘Yun River’ another name for River Tiao; ‘Yun’ is chosen for the assonance in the line. 4. ‘gondolas’: so translated as I imagine the boat likely to be the Chinese gondola (蚱蜢舟), a localization strategy applied in translation as the English definition refers to the boat generally used in Venice. It serves well the romantic vibes between the lines. Appreciation: In 1093, Su Shi inspected Yuqian area where the Wu-Yue culture had flourished since the early Han Dynasty. The traditional dress, the silver head coverings, and the charming openness of Yuqian women took his fancy. In contrast would be the courtesans, the mythical ladies and the various ideal women of some folklore. Again, catkins are associated with softness and the feminine in culture, with true love and spiritual nourishment. If you step back for a panorama view of the artistic world in China and Europe, you’ll see the similarity in the main features of the Renaissance --- the general trends in aesthetic tastes evolved from the luxurious palace art to the simple style of common subjects, to their everyday life in the country villages. Bright colours gradually gave way to simple plain colours like light blue, light green, black and white. This occurred across the board not only in poetry but also in paintings, statures, music, and designs. I sincerely wish this new perspective could inspire more studies on the rhymes and vibes of the Song Dynasty art. Reference: 1. Blooming Alone in Winter by Gordon Osing, Julia Min and Huang Haipeng，published by the People's Publication House Henan Province in 1990 (《寒心未肯随春态》戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红，黄海鹏) (“ Yuqian Wome: Black skirts, snow blouses, the Yuqian women wear. / Their feet are pale as frost because they’re bare. / They whirl and dance, in two loops pin their hair; / In storms their silver headbands stay, I swear, / Descended straight from the palace and their / Precious ancestors to themselves, who take great care /To honor the old ruler. By Tiao stream catkins fill the air, / An eyebrow of a woodthrush wings down to where / One of these waits her woodman-lover hurrying there; / No Yuqian husband trades his lady for some mythical lady fair.”) 2. pictures from

新城道中 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 旧版英译:戈登.奥赛茵, 闵晓红, 黄海鹏(1990) 新版英译及赏析: 闵晓红(2023) 东风知我欲山行，吹断檐间积雨声。 岭上晴云披絮帽，树头初日挂铜钲。 野桃含笑竹篱短，溪柳自摇沙水清。 西崦人家应最乐，煮葵烧笋饷春耕。 On the Road to Newtown written by Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') old En. trans. by G. Osing, J. Min & H. Huang (1990) new En. trans.+ annot. by Julia Min ( Feb. 2023) The east wind sees me going to the mountains, So leaves off rain, the dripping music on eaves. The ranges wear caps of clouds like white cotton. The treetop hangs a brass gong, the sun at dawn. The peach buds smile by a low fence of bamboo, The weeping willows sway over the sand brook. Westhill smells boiling okra with bamboo shoots, A hearty start on the spring field for full yields. Notes: 1. Newtown: a county of Hangzhou Prefecture (Xindong County Zhejiang Province today); Appreciation: Su Shi had been always fond of visiting the country to get hands touch on the grass roots, the real life of the common people instead of sitting in his office for reports. Besides, he has been greatly influenced by Daoist works by Zhuangzi and others. The Zen philosophy, a branch grown out of … , was developed and widely embraced in the Song Dynasty and onward, even today. This poem is just one of the many poems he wrote about his trips to the country, to the villages in the mountains, all detailed with the natural features there and then which we can still visit and capture, if lucky, today. Such transformation from the high and graceful society life to the common folks’ rural life is greatly valued in the literature of the Renaissance of Europe that happened about 3 hundred years later. Here the shift took place between the luxurious Tang Dynastry to the simple even plain but familiar life picture of the people. Reference: 1. Blooming Alone in Winter by Gordon Osing, Julia Min and Huang Haipeng，published by the People's Publication House Henan Province in 1990 (《寒心未肯随春态》戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红，黄海鹏) (“ On the Road to Newtown: The east wind sees I go into the mountains today/And leaves-off raining, but for the music falling front eaves./The hills wear the last of the clouds, white caps of cotton,/And a fresh sun hangs in the treetops, a bright, brass gong.// Each peach-bud’s a smile by low bamboo fences/Where a stream and her willow are waving, the sands running clear/How lucky the man with so cozy a place, with its yields,/The woman who boils-up the shoots for her man in the field. ”) 2. pictures from “蒋溥写意画”

饮湖上初晴后雨 原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋） 旧版英译:戈登.奥赛茵, 闵晓红, 黄海鹏(1990) 新版英译及赏析: 闵晓红(2023) 水光潋滟晴方好， 山色空蒙雨亦奇。 欲把西湖比西子， 淡妆浓抹总相宜。 A moment from shine to rain on West Lake written by: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo') old En. trans. by: G. Osing, J. Min & H. Huang (1990) new En. trans.+annot. by: Julia Min ( Feb. 2023) A sea of sparkling ripples when it shines, A mystic place with misty hills in rain. One shade the more, one ray the less, Can barely touch the nameless grace. A toast to West Lake for her rare beauty Like Xishi, and her values, shine or rain. Notes: 1. West lake: a most beautiful lake at Hangzhou near Shanghai (still a most popular tourist destination today); 2. “One shade the more, one ray the less,/had half impaired the nameless grace.” : borrowed from Byron’s famous poem “She Walks in Beauty” for an associating imagination; 3. Xishi (西施/西子): lived one of the four mostly admired beauties in ancient China, namely, Xishi, Wang Zhaojun, Diaochan and Yang Yuhuan. Xishi lived in the State of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC). Appreciation: This famous poem was obviously written when Su Shi was the governor of Hangzhou (1071-1074), a place where he shared many beautiful memories with family and friends. The Hangzhou people today are still very grateful acknowledging his achievements for the region, calling him ‘The Legendary Mayor Su Shi’. This short poem of 7-Jue verse (七绝) has been recited in schools all over China. Even my son’s maid sings it to my granddaughter to cheer her up. As in every masterpiece of art, it’s composes of easy wordings and simple associations for the mass readership, while at the same time it manifests, to the intellectual readership, his philosophical perspective at the time, or more specifically, the lake is our poet, his moral quality and strength. Indeed his whole life has been tested to the limit again and again only to prove the same outcome. Nothing could touch his heroic and romantic quality come rain or shine. A nut hard to crack for his political opponents but dearly loved for a thousand years to come. Reference: 1. Blooming Alone in Winter by Gordon Osing, Julia Min and Huang Haipeng，published by the People's Publication House Henan Province in 1990 (《寒心未肯随春态》戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红，黄海鹏) ("Drinking Wine by West Lake After Rain: The waters gleam and ripple freshly after a good rain;/She’s no less rare or lovely among the misting hills./I see her captivating as Xi Zi of ancient song,/Changing pale colors for bright, and always the more beautiful.”) 2. “One shade the more, one ray the less,/had half impaired the nameless grace.” : borrowed from Byron’s famous poem “She Walks in Beauty” for an associating imagination; 3. painting from Google；

Working on my Cholesterol By Julia Min Tue 27 Jul. 2021 My doc asked me to work on my cholesterol. The dietitian gave me a list to follow: No cheese, no butter, and no sugar. It took me a while to settle. My morning starts with a bowl of oats, And a wholemeal toast with avocado. only tea and fruits before noon, Simple lunch and soup dinner to follow, No soda, no pasta and no alcohol, My life felt boring and miserable. The first week was a struggle. The second week ringed demurral. In the third week, I insisted and persisted Till the craving left me, I felt healed. From good to bad, ugly to truth, I realized this life is a teaching school. JM: Your thoughts? Leave a comment and let me know :)

Are we on track or astray? - by Julia X. Min ( on 22 July 2021, amid the 5th lockdown of Victoria, Australia) Some say you may see the world in the sand. Why do you have to travel far and wide? Some say in a flower you can see Heaven, Why conquer all the way to other lands? Infinity is defined in the palm of our hand, we can see the universe on our land. If Eternity is in the moment, a conscious breathing would feel decent. Others see the world as a big Family, Whether you see the shades of sun rays or the billion ‘pop-ups’ from countries. Why push up ‘walls’ in the wrong places? If Earth is our home, our Mother Nature, we’re surely killing Her with clever ventures. If Heaven is home to Father, the Creator, He’d lament our loss of holy textures. Imagine a world without humans, nor our scientific achievements; No nuclear, no plastic, no chemicals, every other life would survive to thrive. Notes: 1. Reference is made to William Blake's " Auguries of Innocence" ” - To see a World in a Grain of Sand/And a Heaven in a Wild Flower /Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand /And Eternity in an hour… ... 2.‘pop-ups’, a word often used by the Indian mystic Sadhguru to describe us, humans, on the planet. 3. ‘walls’: trade walls started by Donald Trump, border walls built in America, and those in history, e.g. German walls, the Great Wall, … 4. 'shades of sun rays': J Min’s understanding of humans’ skin color is merely a result of sun rays. Tropical regions are home to darker skin while cold regions host fairer skin, so nothing to do with social values. Australia is meant for brown skin tribes which explains why so many Europeans suffer skin cancer in warmer areas.

春残秋暮 （2022年4月墨尔本秋季，我也邂逅了新冠， 康复中读到李清照的《春残》，随和一首） 作者：闵晓红 病里梳头恨发长， 窗前家鸽唱夕阳。 萧条庭院花无几， 云疏月淡品菊香。 黄州荷花应待放， 梯田绕山插稻忙。 新冠久居龙虎榜， 归途无期仍遥望。 JM: Your thoughts? Leave a comment and let me know :) picture from google: http://do.poonline.com.cn/33032576/