Sung Dynasty

To the Tune of “Partridge Sky” by Su Tung-p’o

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Mountains shine through forest breaks, bamboo hides the wall;
withered grass by small ponds, jumbled cicada cries.
White birds again and again cut across the sky;
faint scent of lotus shining pink on the water.

Beyond the village,
by old town walls,
with goosefoot cane I stroll where late sunlight turns.
Thanks to rain that fell at the third watch last night
I get another cool day in this floating world.

translated by Burton Watson

South Hall by Su Tung-p’o

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Sweep the floor, burn incense, close the door to sleep;
a mat marked like water, curtains like mist.
I dream a guest comes, wake wondering where I am,
prop open the west window on waves that meet the sky.

translated  by Burton Watson

Parting from My Yin Daughter by Wang An-shih

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I’ve only lived thirty years and already I feel old
wherever I look I’m beset by sorrow
I’ve come in this little boat to say goodbye tonight
here where the shores of life and death divide us

translated by Red Pine

note: written to his daughter who was buried on a small hill beyond a moat just before he had to leave the district for his next government posting

New Year’s Eve by Hsin Ch’i-chi

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In the east wind last night a thousand trees burst forth
showered down
a rain of stars
jeweled horses and carriages and incense filled the road
the tremulous sound of a phoenix flute
the transforming glow of a jade vase
all night lanterns swayed
and she of the moth eyebrows and flower-decked hair
of laughter that beguiles and the subtlest of perfumes
whom I have searched for in crowds a hundred times
as I turned my head
she was there
where the lantern light was faint

translated by Red Pine

Returning to Linkao at Night by Su Tung-p’o

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Drunk tonight at East Slope sobered up then drank again
it was after midnight when I finally made it home
the houseboy was asleep and snoring like thunder
I knocked on the gate but nobody answered
leaning on my cane I listened to the river

Long have I regretted this life I don’t control
will I ever stop running errands
with night about to end and a night wind on the water
I’m leaving in my sampan
to spend my last years on the river

translated by Red Pine

Poem Composed on Horseback and Sent to Tzu-you after Parting at the West Gate of Chengchou on the Nineteenth Day of the Eleventh Month by Su Tung-p’o

/ zdunno03 / 3 Comments

Why do I feel drunk without drinking
my heart is following your saddle horse
your thoughts are already with our father
but how shall I deal with this loneliness of mine
climbing above the ramparts between us
all I see is your bobbing black hat
the weather is so cold and your robe so thin
and you’re riding that nag beneath a waning moon
“On the road people sing at home they’re happy”
offered my attendant seeing me so sad
of course I know life is full of partings
what bothers me is how fast it’s passing
remember when we faced that sputtering lamp
listening to the wind that rain-filled night
that is something I know you won’t forget
don’t fall in love with a government career

translated by Red Pine