Scattered reading of "Suiyuan Poetic Talks" and translation: Volume Six, No. 103
Original text: Wine, dishes, and all kinds of goods are available in the market. When inviting guests, one does not consult the market but seeks help from the chef. Why? Because only a chef can create delicious flavors. Nowadays, people writing poetry like to fill their works with classical references without refining them or creating something original and true. This is akin to using supermarket items to entertain distinguished guests.
Translation: Wine, condiments, and such things are all available for purchase in the supermarket. But when hosting a dinner party, one seeks assistance from a master chef rather than the supermarket. Why is this? It's because only a master chef can produce delectable cuisine. Nowadays, people who write poetry enjoy filling their verses with classical allusions, without refining them or crafting something that conveys genuine emotion and offers fresh perspectives; it's as if they're using supermarket items to entertain honored guests.
"Suiyuan Poetic Talks" (Part Two) Supplementary Selections of Poems:
Volume Two, No. One:
Purple butterflies slowly follow human shadows away, green willows low protect the painted boat sailing.
Volume Two, No. Two:
The autumn sounds of the Buddhist temple flow through the evening bells, the red glow of wine houses ascends on spring lanterns.
Volume Two, No. Two:
Amidst the forest, yellow leaves pave the woodcutter's path, around the city walls, red lanterns light up half the taverns.
Volume Two, No. Three:
Half of those seated are there to request calligraphy, those knocking at the door are all flower bearers.
Volume Two, No. Four:
Spring Qi restrains the dike willows, water light clusters wild smoke.
The long river tilts over the pillow, a crescent moon clings to the sail and flies.
The moon unfolds its jade disk suitable for calling sister, wind blowing across the pool water most dries you.
A guest comes from my hometown, bringing me letters from my home village. My heart wonders why the letters were late, repeatedly checking the year and month.
Volume Two, No. Five:
The fallen moon spreads across the ground, the sound of autumn finds its way to the door.
Volume Two, No. Six:
Penglai looks back across mountains and rivers, Prince Wang blows his flute while Emperor Zi sings.
I hear that eternal spring resides in heaven, spring worries should be more numerous than in the mortal world.
Volume One, No. Two:
In Song dynasty's snow poem: "Waiting for companionship doesn't mind the cold tiles, ashamed of brightness often fears the tilted jade hooks." Already new.
Zheng Suinan's snow poem: "Thumb war white hands fight equally, wine flushes the face red but not fresh." Even newer.
Xiao Dezao's plum blossom poem: "Xiangfei stands dangerously on the frozen dragon's back, the cold moon hangs on the coral branch." Already new.
Xu Chaoyou's plum blossom poem: "New water drips over the wall to wake the sleeping crane, cold clouds press down on the roof where the monk sleeps peacefully." Even newer.
"Suiyuan Poetic Talks" (Part Two) Supplementary Selections of Poems:
Volume Three, No. Nineteen:
Poetry about cosmetics cases reached its peak in our dynasty with Wang Cihui. Only Xiangting from my family can rival him. I record his untitled poem: "The corridor turns a hundred times around the hall, the three-story pavilion locks the phoenix nest. The golden fan secretly hides the person's shadow arriving, the jade door gently opens with a knock.
Lipstick contains the ripeness of cherry berries, fragrance releases from the double collar of cardamom tips. Leaning on the candle, smiling at the screen's back, the scholar's cap and hairpin strings intersect first."
"One curtain of flower shadows brushes away light dust, the road recognizes the fairy source not separated by the ford. Secretly agreed upon at night waiting for me, being cautious and careful against others' schemes.
Happy without parrots stealing messages, having many orioles understanding spring. Afraid of making companions jealous, instructing the lover not to show affection."
"Under the peach blossoms visiting Lin Qiong, smiling open the door with a sick appearance, extremely hateful. With a touch of sorrow better, not too much time apart especially intense.
The quilt already has a reserved space, the clothes buttons wait for the gentleman to untie the innermost layer. Intimately holding her tiny cheeks close, clearly not meeting in a dream."
"Conscientiously cherishing each other, embracing amidst greenery and redness after the rain stops. Thinking of my startled soul fearing my sister's awareness, teaching the gentleman to sleep while I stay awake.
Cold blankets corners inclining body to yield, wind passing through window frames ears listen carefully. Unable to retain warmth before dawn, last night's secret appointment reiterated earnestly."
Other excellent lines include: "Future joys and sorrows depend on my fate, this life's weight relies on your heart."
Often preventing leaving lamp shadows, easily touching string sounds when walking.
"Advise you not to tie the knot of unity, once tied together cannot be undone." All are wonderful. I jokingly say: "The realm within poetry, those who haven't personally experienced it do not know. However, even though my brother has experienced it, he couldn't depict it so meticulously and vividly."
Recently, I also saw Zhan Guanting Zhang Observer excel in this style. His untitled poem says: "Pearl Tower leans against fragrant curtains, crimson jade railings white jade steps. People compete with peach blossoms for beauty, spring matches willow leaves with eyebrows.
Painted skirts embroidered with phoenixes morning winds lift, treasure mirrors coiled dragons night moons shift. Cherish Yinghu infinitely beautiful, baby evaluations, cultural swallows fittingly occupy jade branches."
"Always talking about longing in dreams, good dreams complained about entering dreams too late. After departure emotions rely on alcohol to dispel, coming happiness known by the light of lamps.
Yang Quan shrinking earth truly no technique, Zhang Shuo encountering immortals more hopeful. A tree of luxuriant peach blossoms richly colored, dressing tower embroidered curtains hang down."
Other excellent lines include: "Frequently opening mirror boxes like facing the moon, should know butterfly dreams not leave flowers."
Afraid to stand in the courtyard worrying about moonlight covering, never retracting fans fearing flower shyness, learning to walk alone."
Water swaying hair shadows suspected of earrings falling, bodies compared to flower fragrance attracting butterflies closely.
Observer also has a seven-character absolute verse titled "Mountain Window": "Empty steps enter the night with rustling rain, silver lamps trimmed leaks turn distant. Afraid of hearing it in the guesthouse, small windows cut banana leaves beforehand." Also among the seven-character absolutes of Jiang Baishi. Observer's name is Yu Gu, the great-grandson of Yi Feng, a famous minister of Zhongzhou.
Volume Three, No. Twenty-One:
"The Joy of Hearing Good News in Jiaxu Year" says:
Double eyebrows want to unfold but still feel surprised, rising to listen to the sound of copper gongs outside the house. Not hesitating to drive away fledglings from the carved beams, gold-inked notices hang naming titles.
Countless years Qin family planning, how can dreams reach the sunlit side?
Today's parting emotions temporarily discarded, knowing you have arrived in the celestial realm.
"Spring Silkworms Poem" says:
Silkworms densely cover the corner of the courtyard, just hoping there are no flies or mice. Elder women wrap salt calling younger ones, in the previous village early hiring cat servants.
Trading clothes to buy mulberry leaves regardless of cost, wanting to take advantage of clear warm weather. Similar to the willow trees in front of Linghe Palace, spring comes three rises and three sleeps.
"Instructing Ah Xiang to Enter School" says:
Lowering her buns pities elder sister, she is also shoulder height. Let her abandon needlework, follow together studying classics.
Two rows know elegance, sitting reciting love purity.
Try seeing both able to recite, today which one goes first?
"Capital Gate Scenery" says:
Adding new bowls for apricot jam adjusting cheese, appreciating melons not sparing money for ice.
"Beginning of Summer" says:
Flowers due to leaving trees particularly graceful, birds for urging spring have changed voices.
"Summer Illness" says:
Small fatigue no heart burning white root, slight shade reliable near plum rains.
"Willow Cotton" says:
Suddenly seen from wild waters official bridges, only beside whip silk hat shadows fly.
"Embroidery Word" says:
Morning embroidering long short bridge, evening embroidering east west ridge. Life not recognizing West Lake, saying it is West Lake scene.
Gauze sparse not accepting needle, silk dense not allowing thread.
Embroidered well someone knows, embroidered bitterly no one sees.
"Summer Writing" says:
South building warm wind trying light gauze, language swallow voice day not slanted. Full ground green shade curtain not rolled up, floating silk flies onto hollyhock flowers.
"Changsha Festival Office Sensation Assignment" says:
Twenty years composing poems singing rings place, today following your flag office opened. Painted pavilion suddenly welcoming new envoy, spring wind still remembering old makeup platform.
Special favor imperial robes feel hard to match, remaining love棠shade waits planting again. Heard saying river city praising beautiful, like ice happy order returns again.
"Ten Thousand Solid Temple" says:
Mountain temple unaware of road, suddenly hearing water flow sound. Stream follows rock turning, pagoda with white clouds level.
Ancient trees extend endlessly, secluded birds occasionally chirping. Pine roots fit small rest, try drawing clear spring water.
"Commenting on Li Bai's Poem Afterward" says:
Thousands of feet soaring solitary wind, high song generation middle. In sky still supplement exile, entering world how can be contained?
Heart drops high cavalry, deep gratitude Guo Lord public. Again restoring Tang empire, various generals don't talk about merit.
"Looking for Gui'er Not Arriving" says:
Jinan autumn eighth month, receiving your several lines book. Reported saying Chongyang day, able return Shanggu carriage.
Already surprising maple leaves fall after, again to snow flying start. What affairs return period mistaken? Facing wind one leaning gate.
"Composing on Qin Shi Huang" says:
Carrying rolling mountain ghosts, boat traveling misty sea no immortals.
"Looking at Mount Tai" says:
Overseas sky brightness bright wild horse, world person shadow move mayfly.
"Together Head Orchid" says:
Wind calm thanks court group gathering, moon bright Xiangpu two concubines returning.
"Revisiting Capital Gate" says:
Every time experiencing old travels doubt separating generations, briefly resting expedition flags when returning home.
"Changzhou Road Middle" says:
Road already near home flipped feeling far, people because growing old gradually know autumn.
"Two Sons Failing Examinations" says:
Gains and losses come originally like dew lightning, old man for you heavy hesitation. Not declining feather damage three-year wings, can have light share ten chariots.
Four seas few people cloud get road, various students mostly ravine hidden fish. When year bow arrows mulberry intention, isn't for examination names start reading books?
"Spring Shade" says:
Green window people rise afraid spring cold, small standing leisurely courtyard dew not dry. Wall outside apricot flowers steps below grass, lead people long lean green railing.
"Boat Night" says:
Small boat undulating sleep not formed, night deep still promoting return journey. Full window cool moon whiter than snow, boat bottom suddenly hear fish weir sound.
"First Summer Occasionally Composed" says:
Azalea flowers bloom evening rain remains, sending spring weather this secluded residence. Chessboard halfway taking damaged paper compensate, poem draft sometimes seeking worn brush write.
Seasonal sequence concerns special bitter happiness, youthful years pass eyes have multiplication subtraction. Year come afraid climbing Su Causeway look, worried see willow green reflect skirt.
"Village Scenery" says:
Sail shadows mostly from window gap pass, stream light combine toward mirror look.
"Occasionally Composed" says:
Many diseases steps front timely drying medicine, fear cold window outside also lower curtain.
"Spring Dawn" says:
Emerald curtain deeply not raising hook, morning afraid looking fallen flowers thick. Paper window one line horizontal slant crack, again release spring wind into painting building.
"Tai Zhen Spring Sleep Picture" says:
Secret palace spring cold relying embroidered mat, emperor before what reason imitate lying display?
Mawei further has long sleep place, also beside pear flower one tree spring.
"Sending Outside" says:
Weak age becoming famous ambition already violated, watching flowers people again blocked spring examination. Even teach fur coat wasted gold exhausted, dare say you come not descend machine?
Frequent years heart affairs entrust ice silk,絮language trouble you carefully watch. Don't say inside chamber children small, lamp front also understand remember Chang'an.
"Spring Day Spontaneous Composition" says:
Soft red countless want become mud, courtyard grass urge spring green gradually align. Window outside suddenly hear parrot say, kite blow drop painted eaves west.
"Spring Garden Occasionally Assign" says:
Sell candy sound inside day initially long, spring full idle courtyard flower affairs busy. Building outside soft wind oriole dream warm, fence side sparse rain butterfly clothing cool.
Green peach heavy similar hanging head sleep, red peony residual similar half face makeup. Watch finish youthful years should not tired, title poem long lean small return corridor.
"Xiashi Road Middle" says:
Tree far make person stand, mountain deep suspect rain come.
"Spring Night" says:
Wet cloud press tree evening smoke heavy, pale moon enter curtain flower atmosphere quiet.
"Hearing Family Adult Spin Home" says:
Leave county certainly many blocking road officers, return mountain already is staff member person.
"Xi Shi" says:
Myself since receive favor people report resentment, holding heart always feel not distinct.
"Commenting on " says:
Eyebrow lock spring mountain gather powder traces, emperor still understand warmth preserve. Holding heart separately have sorrowful place, only afraid receive favor but betray favor.
"Mourning Parrot" says:
Feathers just completed cruel frost, knock break silver ring hate vague. Continuous days chanting scriptures know intentionally, yesterday night say dream already non auspicious.
Green clothes originally self hide gold house, red decree what year descend jade emperor? Should accompany Fei Qiong serve bird messenger, color clouds depth freely soar.
"Capital City Send Sister" says:
Tung origin separate hand cross sky edge, wind rain united bed wish still owe. Two places empty bother poem replace simple letter, three springs only have dream return home.
Illness increase gradually recognize sovereign subject medicine, separate long worry watch sisters flower. Other day miss labor far look, five clouds depth is capital city.