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.

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

永遇乐. 落日熔金 原作：李清照 （宋） 落日熔金，暮云合璧，人在何处。 染柳烟浓，吹梅笛怨，春意知几许。 元宵佳节，融和天气，次第岂无风雨。 来相召、香车宝马，谢他酒朋诗侣。 中州盛日，闺门多暇，记得偏重三五。 铺翠冠儿，捻金雪柳，簇带争济楚。 如今憔悴，风鬟霜鬓，怕见夜间出去。 不如向、帘儿底下，听人笑语。 Again, the Sun’s Melted Gold in a Jade Ring -to the Tune of Yongyuyue written by: Li Qingzhao ( 1084 – 1155?) old Eng. version: G Osing, J. Min & H.Huang (1991） Revised Eng. version: Julia Min (2023) Again, the sun’s melted gold in a jade ring at dusk, but how come my spirit is all gone? The willows shrouded in haze, hardly our Spring! And, here comes the flute Plum Blossoms Falling? The last day on Lantern Festival, already warm, Why does one dread, at every hour, a storm? Friends came for me, in carriages and horses bedecked with ornaments. Of course I ignored. I recall other days, and better, in Zhongzhou, a lady at home in her boudoir, toasting the festival, wearing a cap of inlaid jade, and twisted rolled gold to snow willows for children, a vision of elegance. But now, pallid and thin, hair frosted, disheveled, how ought she dare to appear for their merriment? She's best seen not at all, curtained and listening to their laughter, loud and empty as their talk. For appreciation: This ci could be composed in 1150 when our poet was in her late sixties. Feeling like a traveler in a strange place Lin’an, the temporary capital of the new Southern Song, she also had to give up her hope of returning to her homeland in this lifetime. The barbarian tribes from the Jin and the Mongols were simply too violent and strong on battlefields for the Song to reclaim lost states.  It was the Lantern Festival day, and her friends wanted her to celebrate with them, but she couldn’t. All she could do was to recall the grand festivals in Zhongzhou (Kaifeng, Henan Province now), the old capital, and to listen bittersweetly to the laughter and talk of the celebrants. Notes: 1.     ‘jade ring’: evening clouds circling jade, meaning clouds around the sun; 2.     The flute “The Plum Blossoms Falling”: the old bittersweet tune played with the flute was frequently heard at this time of the year when plum trees were in full bloom, and with the weather warmer in this southern town, would shed flowers even earlier. It was our poet’s favorite flower, so the sentiment was felt stronger with the flute music. 3.     ‘hardly our Spring’: ironic remark on her status as an emigrant in a strange land, a strong melancholy over the hopeless return to her invaded homeland for such a reunion festival. The so-called ‘temporary court’ in Lin’an seemed permanent, so again she was criticizing the weakness of the Royal against the invaders. 4.     ‘The Lantern Festival’: the night on the 15th of the first lunar month, 15 days after the Chinese New Year, the last day of the longest festive season; 5.     ‘Zhongzhou’: the old name for Kaifeng, the Song capital (in Henan province today); Chinese describe China as Jiuzhou (nine states), with Zhongzhou in the centre,  meaning ‘the middle state’, or the middle kingdom which has been often misunderstood by the English world. 6.     ‘papers of gold’: ornaments made for children’s hairdo at festival times, paper of rolled gold folded and braided like the leaves of willow strands. Pinyin yǒng yù lè . luò rì róng jīn luò rì róng jīn ， mù yún hé bì ， rén zài hé chù 。 rǎn liǔ yān nóng ， chuī méi dí yuàn ， chūn yì zhī jǐ xǔ 。 yuán xiāo jiā jiē ， róng hé tiān qì ， cì dì qǐ wú fēng yǔ 。 lái xiàng zhào 、xiāng chē bǎo mǎ ， xiè tā jiǔ péng shī lǚ 。 zhōng zhōu shèng rì ， guī mén duō xiá ， jì dé piān zhòng sān wǔ 。 pù cuì guàn ér ， niǎn jīn xuě liǔ ， cù dài zhēng jì chǔ 。 rú jīn qiáo cuì ， fēng huán shuāng bìn ， pà jiàn yè jiān chū qù 。 bú rú xiàng 、lián ér dǐ xià ， tīng rén xiào yǔ

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

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》

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/