Mild and strong winds

Pear Flower Song --by Yao Ying

Pear flower, obscured moon, willow young and green.
Everything competes in beauty, casting off old forms.
So new! So fresh! So colorful!
Returning home, on your clothing remains a fragrance.

Harmonizing with Yao Ying's Pear Flower Song

Pretty tree, oncoming wind, the grass is colored green.
Spring light, bright and beautiful, reveals a lovely form.
Skin like snow, shadow like a plum flower.
Cold scent floats around, there's a lingering fragrance.  


Eastern Sea Wind

Largess in Measure, autumn evening, loud climate,
Mountain winds whistling tight, moon still round and high.
Range of peaks, the shadows seem like they're moving.
Grass and woods, once voiceless, now rage and shout.   

The mountain that Eastern Sea University was situated on was known for is strong winds that often gusted all night long. The name of the mountain was Big Degree.--a phrase meaning tolerant and forgiving (vs. Small Air--what we would consider high strung or finicky)

Holding on and holding out

Night-Blooming Cereus'* Song

Delicate native, characterized by subtle fragrance,
Can't compete with the thousand brightly-colored beautifully-appareled,
Most loves the faint breeze and shining moon of evening,
Queen of the Night shadow - dreary fog - hold regret at length.   

*One of the qualities of this flower is that it only blooms at night for one night a year and is wilted by dawn. 

By the Miaoli mountains

Several standing straw huts form a village
Many levels of tiered farms raise children and grandchildren
Outside the households, winds are strong, government rule is distant
Though cooking steam fills the home, yet won't open the door.  

The Hakka people are known for being conservative and hard-working.

Two willows, two ponds

To the tune of The Butterfly Loves Flowers
In the Spring Shade of the Willow

Pond side green willow in a cage fog made 
Little garden spring shade
Misting rains dampen the covered arcade
Spring flowers drip with wetness by low fence laid
All day, sing and recite lines long and short
Pour out sorrows for hours -- the flowers consort
Curtain shade evening time
Now light the incense burner
Deep into the night, the sound of the rain and wind settles down
Bird songs coo people to sleep


Oriole Song Pond

In the woods, the water is high at this small pond
Geese and ducks bring goslings and ducklings to hunt for food, busy
Across the shore, the clothes-washers have left*
Willow strands sway in the cool midday breeze 

*Song dynasty poet wrote a similar line

Travelers

Harmonizing with Sister Yin

In the world, debates and discussion abound, disregard.
Ten years, clean spot, arrive at this time.
All people everywhere fight for fame and wealth.*
Anxious thoughts multiply daily, sins also deepen.
Fortunately, we have the Lord's words as constant guidance,   
And, we treasure good friends who help cleanse our attitudes.
One bright morning, if we go to the heavenly place,
We'll look back at the time when we heard the gospel.

*There's a story about an emperor who asked a monk how many boats pass on the river by everyday. The monk replied, "Two: one seeking fame, another seeking wealth."

Chapter 9: Eastern Sea

I was invited to teach at Donghai University from 1957-64. For seven years that I taught there, I took the train. Every other week, I went to Taizhong in the morning, arriving in the afternoon. I would teach two hours that afternoon and the next day teach two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon and then take the train back to Taibei. I taught international trade. Usually, sitting on the train, I could look out both sides while passing many small towns.

From Taibei to Taizhong Ten Poems

Suling Station

Long train passing the station, alarm bells blast*
Bamboo trees beckon people and bow to the evening breeze
Hilltop setting sun losing strength
Thin smoke veils the late pink clouds

*Suling was a very small station therefore the express train didn't stop there. By the time the signal ends, we've passed through the town.

Thinking back

Bosom Feelings

Residency in this foreign country is truly pitiful.
By their customs, we follow the way of the youth.
Can't talk about bosom's dark sadness, no place to vent.
Alleviate sorrow, drink and send your feelings to the spirits.


2nd poem of Thinking about your old country back home

Painfully remember rooted garden, cold and lonely autumn
Eastern fence chrysanthemum looks delicate and shy
At the edge of the village, an old maple tree, red as if dyed
Lake surface wilted water lilies, still some green
Hut Peak flying clouds, where are you going?
Yang River passing waters, when will you stop?
What you sent me: a new poem to read 
And hearing the sounds of home comforted my longing.


- Rooted garden is a literal translation of the place where you have ancestors, have lived a long time.
- Lu2 ("hut") Mountain & Yangzi River both were viewable my grandfather's hometown of Xinkaizhen 新开镇. 
- sounds of home is a literal translation for your hometown dialect.

Good old days

Fisherman's Sunset Happiness

Fishing boat at evening, singing by the setting sun.
Sun's shadow sinks on the west, showing the coolness of dusk.
Raising glasses drinking slowly invite the bright moon,
Wife and young children talk about the daily ordinaries.


Thinking about your old country back home

Yun Sea, Pong Mountain all sites visited,
Still hard to forget my old Xincai country:
Light breeze, tiered fields, by the horse route*, 
The rain has stopped, the peach tree grove, a good place to graze cows.
Countryman visitor fits the saying, we help each other.
Most leave our country seeking to raise their position in society. 
White haired, retired, on Tianhuen Island,
Stand and bear to watch the turmoil on the other shore.

It's almost the end of the year, when it's easier to think about your old country. I had a visit from a countryman. This person sent me a poem. I used his form and wrote a poem back to him.

Stock Pots

Sentiments Upon Gazing at Chrysanthemum

Yellow chrysanthemum transplanted to the western fence.¹
When the season comes to autumn, all alike bloom.
People only admire the pretty flowers,
Who can understand the suffering and sadness in the flower's heart?²
I originally came from good and lovely southern stock.
Cannot return home, planted by the will of others.
Think about years ago, grass from the same root.³
Two streams of tears already cover my cheeks.

---

1 Typically, the eastern fence symbolizes chrysanthemum. My mom and I think she is alluding to being in America.
2 As Chinese has no articles, it's undermined if it's 'the' flower or 'a' flower.
3 Caocao, one of the kings during the three kingdoms, he had a two sons, one political power, one smart but not politically prominent. The politically powerful son envied his intelligent brother. Famous for his brilliance, he asked him to compose a poem once you've finished seven steps:

In the pot were soy beans,
underneath was soy bean chaff (used to heat the pot)
Soy beans inside the pot cry,
"We were from the same root,
Why do you cook me so hurriedly?"

Big City

Old house, low-slung drapery, big city is open.
Humble dress, pots boiling, complement new wine.
Horses like dragons, cars like rivers, fill the lanes to the doors.
All come and hustle for a taste of this exotic flavor.

Big City is famous for raising and selling turtles for eating. There was a place that especially cooked fish and turtle, with all traditional family secrets for cooking and serving. This place was situated in a very remote and isolated area. People loved to eat turtle so much, so even though they were far away, it was packed with cars and people. I had an old friend who came to visit me and invited me to Big City to eat turtle and drink.

Fall and response

My dear friend Abbi gave me this picture and wrote a poem as a thank you present for helping her move.

Floral splash
Tendrils of kindness
Friendship blossoms in trouble
Forever friend
Reflects rosy hope

I thought in response, as my grandparents practiced, I would write a poem back. Here it is:

Fiery splash
Leaves of laughter
Friendship sustains through rain and cold
Spiritual sister
Embodies evergreen faith

The raw and the cooked

A slight departure--more of a sidebar--from translations of grandparent poetry, yet still Chinese-related, is that I learned today that the words for raw (sen1) and cooked (sou2) can be used to describe feelings. Raw is used when things are a bit scary, uncertain, or uncomfortable, while cooked conveys safety, well-doneness, and confidence.

Two links of interest:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raw_and_the_Cooked
http://ammaproject.tumblr.com

Autumnal poems

Sentiments during an Autumn Storm

Misty rain often wets the steps drip drop,
A pond of dying lilies, the most withered and dry.
Autumn fades, winter comes, spring will follow,
Seasons pass, people age without a trace.  

Deep Autumn Feelings

Startled at the recurrence of first-heavenly seventh-earthly*,
At the corner of the sea, the autumn wind returns.
The pale moon appears bright and clean,
Everywhere the moonlight shines the same.
My hometown neighborhood a land of lakes,
Old country bereft and poor allover.
Gold Tall-building** cloud of war,
Spring Territory** cannon fire red.
Rivers mountains*** a hundred-thousand miles,
All under the same one light.

We had heard news from mainland China, but didn't know whether to believe it or not. Regardless, the rumors of war stirred up my emotions about my hometown.

*each year has one of ten heavenly and one of twelve earthly ordinals, making a full cycle of sixty. Labeling this year, we know it had been sixty years since (around 1954) of Taiwan's ceded to Japan (1895).
**The first characters of towns in Fujian province
***River-mountain means a territory, an area

A room of her own & a painting

A Sentiment

2.

Still lonely, empty maiden-room, nothing happening.
During the night, a snow storm, the season traps people inside.
Old friends, dribs and drabs, trace back the memories. 
Accompanying me to sleep on this cold night, a single pillow.


In praise of Master Painter Zang Dachien

The country is broken, yet one painting master remains.
In a far corner of the earth, at a casual meeting, acquaintance with his sophisticated manner.
Upon arrival at the capitol, the commanding movement of his paint brush,
Imaging the Great Wall, our nation's eyebrows will lift.*

Zang Dachien was a famous contemporary painter/artist. I stayed at a friend's house, Mr. Yang, who had made a lot of money, and was very hospitable. One day, Mr. Yang asked Mr. Zang to dinner and invited me to join them to meet him. I knew all about his work and observed his manner. The UN building was just finishing construction and Mr. Zang was asked to paint a mural for it. He had picked the Great Wall as a theme and was very excited talking about this commission. 

*expresses pride vs. down-turned eyebrows which express shame

Upwards and onwards

A Sentiment

Severe winter passed, snow just clearing up.

Faintly seen spring light: a thread of brightness.

Butterfly dance, flowers bloom: know that spring is here.

Sunset years, old folks add another to their age.

For Mr. Wang, going to Egypt

Float the ocean* not because your way cannot be met.

Green clouds** planning your future ten-thousand miles.

Will you not glorify your ancient country?

***Surely new poems will be sent farther and wider.

Beside the Pyramids, shadows of palm trees abound.

On the bank of the Nile, ripples of water run clear.

We both desire to uphold the beauty of our homeland.†  

Big Bie Mountain†† range is perfectly suited for our cities. 

*floating on the ocean is a metaphor for living

**green clouds is a metaphor for career

†Mr. Wang came from a long line of scholars, a family of great poets

††Lima (the name of his house) was near the mountain in my region

Vast Waters

Snow Song*

Last evening, flying snowflakes cast shadows on lace curtains.
Now the sun shines everywhere, the ground without blemish.
Pure and bright, subtle fragrance, form a pretty sight.
As glorious as standing in a faerie land.
Trees on fire, silver flowers, beauties far and wide,** 
Flitting birds, noiseless, like colorful clouds at sunset.
Earthly complicated world affairs washed clean,
Pure heart, peacefully pass the years of life.

*In 1983, it snowed a lot and many storms throughout the winter.
**tree on fire, flowers are silver = very pretty scene

From Chapter 8: Deep Marsh

I thought I will retire in Taiwan but somehow I was sent to Japan again. At first I stayed in a hotel, later on my friends helped me find a rental. The street I lived on was called Deep Marsh. My landlord was a retired Japanese naval general. After he retired from the navy, he rented out his room. The hostess was a very good housekeeper and wife. Everywhere it was neat and tidy and pretty. They had a son and daughter. Their son worked in a factory and left the house early and came home late. The daughter is married with her own family, she visits her parents very often.

Looking at Okinawa Island from faraway

Pilot points out, there's old Okinawa.
Several mountain ranges, floating on the ocean.
Looking west, smoke and waves, endless green.
Where sky and water meet, divine homeland.

I flew from Taiwan to Japan, the pilot announced, we're flying over Okinawa, and he could see China mainland.

Beneath

For your review

Inspired to write three or two pieces of rough poetry.
Like flecks in the inkwell, commonplace:
Please chop freely, do not hold back.
I wrote this casually, don't let me think my broom is the best.*

*Bi zhou zi zen = my broom is the best, i.e. most people think what they wrote is the best.

Greenlake

No. 2
Over the sky, cables stretched, the big bridge spans.
Under the bridge, a light boat, the water's face smooth.
Turn our heads to look up at the moon in the sky.
People crossing the bridge look like they're in the center of the moon.

Several people went to row boats together. Three other couples and us, after eating dinner, we rowed boats, people were singing and talking. There was beautiful moonlight shining on the water, it was so pretty, we decided to write poems.

Parting Words

Parting Gift Poem

Briefly get-together, depart; entrust with my bayroot-self,

In a flash, time feels more precious.

A pocket full of pretty lines makes for melodious singing,

Attentive invitations to dine shows me your true core affection.

On the anniversary of the avoided subject* of Fu Muzeng

Separated from neighbor, in view of each other, by old door and wall.**

One cannot forget how he carried himself, his voice, his appearance.

Looking back to Fu Garden, quite somber and still.

A grove of coconut trees, cool green shade.*** †

*death: President of the Taiwan National University, lived nearby. One day, he went to the senate for inquiry. One of the senators was rude and Mr. Fu had a stroke and died. When he was president, there were lots of accomplishments made against objections and obstacles

**his house was separated from our house only by a street

***Chinese metaphor: the blessings of ancestors or parents to children, or teacher to student, is a cool green shade from large trees.

†present students and faculty benefited from him.

Echo and extension

Talking about Old Times

Said goodbye to Mirror Lake for many years,
Depend on poems delivered by messenger goose*. 
Poem brushes at opposite corners of the earth, growing old.
Impossible to look back without regret, veil of cloud and smoke.

*Chinese poets often use the goose to describe their method of communication

Refresher

Visiting relatives

Arriving at Kanghe's, a fresh scene and colors:
Flowers delicate, willows beautiful, greens tender and new.
Fishing boat chasing waves, heart unfettered,
To the clear stream's end, and another vista.

l-r: my mom, grandfather, grandmother,
younger uncle, older uncle.

Taibei home garden

All day long, meandering a ten-mat* room,
The small yard barely provides a leisurely view.
Korean grass, thin and soft, evenly paved green.
Mountain hewn ornamental stones, stubborn and dumb.
By the stone, shrub after shrub of azaleas.
In March, the flower blossoms redden as if laughing. 
Gardenia branches', plump after the rain,
Thick fragrance attracts hovering bees.
Pine tree bark sloughs off like dragon scales,
Palm tree frond bends like phoenix tails.
Dark green banyan and new green cypress form rows and rows,
Only the grapevine doesn't thrive.
Orchid, beneath the leaves a secret scent,
By itself in a corner of the wall, goes unnoticed.
Osmanthus** month by month fanning moonlight,
Golden grains clothed in dull colors.
By the fence, the chrysanthemum doesn't wait for Double Yang to bloom,***
Hot climate without frost, no cause for boasting.
Lacking talent, cannot draw a picture,
Inspiration strikes, and so seek material for poems.
Outside the garden, at the neighbor's house, stand a few tall coconut trees, graceful figures****.
Fans swaying in the breeze, evening silhouettes.

*mat refers to a tatami, a standard japanese unit for measuring room area
**particularly suited for the climate, blooms every month
***Chinese like to plant chrysanthemum by fences because a famous poem says:

Picking up chrysanthemum by the eastern fence,
Out of a dream, I see the Southern mountain.
To the point that when you see 'eastern fence' in a poem, it means chrysanthemum.
****The trees were so tall it looked like they were in our garden, but they were in the neighbors.

Moreso

No subject

No. 2

A brief get together is better than nothing.
Ephemeral gatherings: time treasured all the more
Sending poems, intentions remain, long remembrances
Attentive fervent invited feast represents true friendship


Ali Mountain

Opening of sky and land, one novel scene:
Peaks and valley, winding road out of dusty earth
Little building--floors and stairs for the imperial family*
Marvelous railroad designed to reach the precarious cliffs.
Ten ten-thousand layered ranges, clouds like the sea
Three thousand years, this tree immortal
Climb higher still to look down upon
The vast ocean brightens, cradling a golden wheel.

*Japanese royalty

Old and rich (or goodbyes and criticism)

No subject

No. 1

Farewell to Mirror Lake for many years
Club members use poetry to relay messages
Hard to meet face to face as folks grow older
Looking ahead to the future feel sad and down 


Six Plows Graveyard

No. 2

All these wilderness graves, bones already cold
Deserted mountainside, water and clouds fading
At this point, everyone is equal,
Yet the rich folks have broader plots.

In this graveyard, every grave has a number. It's quite orderly and some people have larger plots than others. 

Duanwu de mayo

Five Friends on the Fifth of May

by Irene Yung

Gather round, raise a glass to spring
Bend down, pen songs of joy
You may ask why we eat sticky rice:
To save me from sorrow by your happy smiles

 Asian Mexican

by Dana Jill Meaux Hatch

Chips & zonza, oil & vinegar, don't mix but still are delicious
Peanut butter & chocolate, bread & butter, do mix and still delicious
We love May 5th now 'cause
Friends hang out & mashup traditions



The Changing World

by Rebekah Anderson

The stunning flowers and glorious sunshine, abolish my winter woes,
My wonderful friends and echoing laughter, realize my summer dreams
All people revel at the world's blossoming
However some remorse at the things never to come

A Feast of Cultures

by Annalise Nordtvedt

The mashing of cultures is a beautiful picture of my life
Like the combining of foods at a bountiful feast with friends
Chips & jong-dzs, soy sauce & salsa, and an icy margarita
The diverse life of Chinese and American cultures...and Mexican

Dog City

by John Keay

Let's run together  fast and free
Please stay close  shorten your thoughts
Painstaking glory; 2 headlights sparse
Cut this young life down; forever depart

In Which There Is No Winner

by Meggie Davidson Green

At last he plays a willing game of chance
In time she waits, long since the buzzer sounded
"When will the laundry be put away?"
Blank staring, tension mounting, awkward silence

Sons and fathers

First visit to my son He's place

I arrived at Kanghe's*, a new scene and colors:
Delicate flowers and dangling willows contrast their beauty.
Like a utopia,** so at ease,***
Why leave and be entangled with the world?

*a mashup of my cousin Conway and uncle Huo's names
**she used the phase 'taoyuan' (peach garden) in reference to paradise, in reality, they lived in Minneapolis
***Chinese saying 'an ruo su' meaning 'even though circumstances are tough, I'm taking it easy.'

Family Ritual

All the previous generations tilled the fields of upper Cai.
Then war and upheaval, escaped chaos to the south sea sky.
Wide boundless smoke and waves for three-thousand miles,
Bitter sour wind and rain for eighty years.*
This island is not the place to bury your bones.
Hometown wouldn't require money for a mountain spot.
What day will our homeland be recovered?
Remembering ancestors, having nothing to say is most dark and bleak.

*my dad lived to 86 years

When parents die, it's a serious event in one's life. Usually, one doesn't have the heart to write poetry. But since I am a Christian, death is a long sleep, and one's soul is in heaven, there is no need to pretend that I am unable to write poems. 

The last two lines allude to a classic poem about an old father who told his son, "When the king's troupes recover the lost territory, and when you make remembrance of your ancestors, don't forget to tell your parents about that day."

Dragon & storm

Fifth Month Duanwu Dragon Boat Festival

In the past, to pay respect to Teacher Qu,
Today, we follow tradition: the dragon passing by.
Sing nine songs for the next generation,
Trace memories of the Good and Faithful by reading Cu poems.

One Year's Big Mid-Autumn Storm

Just at mid-autumn, surprised by severe winds and rain,
Miss seeing the jade mirror's full circle beauty and grace.
Pond water rises, flooding with muddy runoff,
Rooftop drains flow nonstop, refreshing the mossy steps.
Sweeping the flowers' shadows come to the window, 
Halting the bugs' noises beside the pillow.
Four seas, blurred and obscured, cannot distinguish our whereabouts.
We forget what season we're in tonight.

Sudongbuo wrote a poem that said: wishing you long life, so that even though a thousand miles apart, see the same moonlight.

The swing of things

Changing of the year

Rid of the old, welcome the new, today.
Time to change the old to welcome the new.
The sage poet understands the meaning:
New, old; both are fitting.


5th of May Poetry Writing Party

General's May 5th feast: a throng of literati.
On display, several maps of provincial styles,  
Clearly detailing different kinds of plants and crops. 
Heart skips, a sword near green calamus.
Appreciating orchids, searching for a line: fresh dainty guests,
Clutching flowers, passing out drinks: old boozing drunkards.
Big house, steps are even, level pathways lined with flowers,
You can lean on a tree, tipsy, no need to be steadied.

The host of the party, General Nuo (like button), a military low-ranking general. He invited several tens of poets to come write poems.

A poem for my God

You love me with strong love
     that weathers storms
     and heals my pain
     and lasts through drought and doubt and Seattle rain.
You fill me with redeeming joy
     that harmonizes with my cries
     and colors up deep trials
     protection from lies.
You cover me with favor anew
     like fresh water, saturating dew.
My heart is full, my questions lull
     I rest my head and close my eyes,
     Heaven awaits. My song, my light.
     No tears, no night.
Turn me once again, here.
     Lift me now to gaze upward.
     My call, my life, my inheritance.

Abstemious

Dirge for Quyuan*

As sorrowful protest, Quyuan jumped into the Mi River.
The emperor misunderstood his old, faithful court official, gone.
To manage the country, an excellent strategy, rejected.
Beyond reading books, a scholar without solution wanders.
In this case, true obscurity.
A future of no hope nor light.
Terribly sad, full of emotions, no place to vent.
Immaterial life given for his country, can appreciate his fragrant virtue.

*A patriotic poet from ancient times, a man who committed suicide fabled to have originated sticky rice in bamboo

Spring Festival New Year's Day Verse - 120 years since war wherein Japan tookover Taiwan (a response to a friend's poem--many of the ending words match)

Year-round warmth, always spring,
Island life, forget the year has turned anew.
Mid-mountain cherry blossoms remain unchanged.*
Willow pollen floats airily, dusting fields. 
Across the straight, wind and waves, beating beating.**
Back here, all the citrus, yummy yummy.***
Against custom, no liquor or wine. ****
Intentionally maintain my surviving wellness.

*Japan was rumored to be recovering military might with the intent to recapture Taiwan.
**Repeatedly sending bad news.
***Taiwan produced a lot of citrus fruit.
****My nature is a disdain for wine.