Increased learning

Reply to Mr. Kong

With surprise and gratitude, received a poem from upperclassman
For a long time lacked interest [in poetry], then opened your letter. 
Before poetry club becomes a distant memory
Today's brick will draw out others' jade.
I submit to you three or five old written poems
And respectfully request your edits and corrections for my edification.
In the future, one of these days, if I write a new poem
I'll ask for more refining and polishing.

- we assume he's a friend from the Chicago poetry club
- There's a Chinese saying that first a brick is set forth, and it draws out the jade. It's impolite to say your own poem is good. So you say of your own writing, oh, it's just the brick first tossed out that drew forth jade. You show respect and deference by asking other writers to give comments and suggestions. 
- the word for upper in upperclassman is the same as edification (increased learning)
- Jade needs refining and shaping


SS Conte Verde

Sound of drums
Take a stroll
Came to look at the river's scenery
Across river middle
In pagoda shadow
A huge ship, tons of metal walls
Jade carved many levels
Gold cast ship decks
Waves rock the boat like silver snow
A palace on the sea
Rumbling exclamations about Rome's wonder
No one imagined an attack on this dictator
In power for twenty years
Overthrown in one day
Bad news via telegram
Express loyalty and patriotism
Self bored Jade Mountain split apart
Following righteousness, courageous and determined
Sigh about their sacrifice and fidelity
Little room for asking questions 
Pushed and pulled not moved
Deep into the night remaining image in the moonlit river

A big famous Italian luxury cruise ship called Kangtifude, 30,000 tons. During WWII the Italians used this ship to carry many people to Asia. Since Italy was an Axis power, the ship ported at (Japanese-controlled) Shanghai. The Italians had a coup to overthrow Mussolini who had been dictator for twenty years. He was put in jail. Another power Bateliyao (Badoglio) declared war against Japan and Germany. This boat became an enemy of Japan, so the ship's captain received a telegram with the news, and, within 35 minutes, they decided to not to let the Japanese gain access to the ship, so they sank it with the crew on board. Because the river wasn't deep enough, two-thirds of the ship remained above the water line. The Japanese used a huge amount of money to recover the ship. They used cables hooked to big buildings lining the waterfront and cranes, and worked for several months. But they couldn't recover it and let it sit in the middle of the water for a long time. People would walk around, feeling sad for the Italian patriots. So I wrote a poem about it. 

- This is the first time translating a ci2 a pre-set lyrical form with lines of differing lengths. Sudongbuo form.
- http://www.rickshaw.org/ships_that_brought_us.htm
- http://www.rickshaw.org/sinking.htm
- voluntary, determined, and willing [to die for one's country] (this word is my last name), following righteousness
- another reason I'm sure I'll love Shanghai