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.

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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.