A dedication

Tonight, before we started on our regular translation of one nainai poem and one gonggong poem, my mom showed me a book of Chinese poems for young people that gonggong had sent to me and my sisters as a Christmas present. So we added onto our repertoire to read through one poem to work on my character recognition. It's pretty fabulous--seeing as my grandfather obviously wanted me to learn Chinese poetry. Better late than never! My mom selected one famous poem that likens the wind to scissors, which is the same imagery as gonggong used in tonight's selection.

[Nainai: mini history lesson from mom: there is a classic poem about a newlywed bride who urged her husband to go to the city to seek fortune. Spring came, symbolized by the willow tree turning green, then she regretted sending him away.]

Spring Day Epiphany 

Ah, the willow tree is green
See another year has passed
Scenery remains
People change
When we first came here
Hearts alive bursting happy
Blink ten years ease by
Up to now lonesome at midnight
Woke from a sweet dream
Life is water flowing downstream
Never going back
Let’s go back go back
Send worries away push lift
Push lift push lift into white clouds

[Gonggong: 8 lines of 5 words]

Starting Journey to Japan

My family didn’t have enough money to buy me new clothes for my travel to Japan. My mother worried about my not having clothes for winter time. Because my clothing and luggage were so shabby, when I arrived in Japan, the officials didn’t believe I was there for study and thought I was a kuli and would not let me off the ship. I couldn't speak much Japanese. They looked at my luggage and saw textbooks in English. They had me read some and finally were convinced I was there for college. When I left home, my mother stayed by the door watching me walk away. To this day, I tear up remembering.

Crossing over East Sea float
Blowing wind cuts sharp cold
Pocket holds not much cash
One layer thin cotton wearing
Not yet stewarding a family
Still know trips are harsh
Loving mother stayed by door
Dare not turn to look

More poetry in life

[By nainai, 4 lines of 7 words]

Reply to fifth brother (her friend) Di Zong and his wife

 

Past days' youthful face has not changed

Slim figures looking better than years before

This huge rock by you gives protection

Mind upheld supported you look at ease

------------------------------------------

[By gonggong. 4 lines of 7 words. History lesson via my mom: a long time ago, a formerly prestigious poet Bai Juyi was brought low. One day, as he sat drunk by the riverbank, he heard someone playing the pipa. It was a woman hidden by the reeds on the river's edge. The man wrote a poem about how well the woman played. She used to be a popular singer, all the men were crazy about her. Every time she played she got lots of money and presents. Year by year, her youth left and she waned in popularity. When she was older, she married a merchant who left home often. Once in a while, she’d play. Everyone cried hearing her life story through the poem of the man.]

 

Pi Pa Pagoda  

close to Jioujiang, nowadays a busy port, not like when Bai Juyi wrote about the lady pipa player

Boat stacks let out steam and smoke

River runs high, moon in the sky

If you look for the pipa story

No dinghies on waters' edge selling tea

Kubota-inspired haiku

A spectacular day in Seattle. I got back from a Wellesley club event at the museum of glass in Tacoma, intent on taking a nap to celebrate the fantastic weather. Got sidetracked to Kubota Gardens, a neighborhood gem down the street from where I live. Since studying my grandparents' poetry has warmed up my creative juices, I whipped up this haiku about this moment. Just like my gonggong said he liked to capture a memory, a happening.

honey suckle sigh
sky blue cruel canopy
delights forlorn heart

We'll see if my granddaughter is impressed ninety years from now.