1907: Straw houses

Fishing Song by Tang dynasty poet Zhang Zihe (730-810)

Near West Fort Mountain, white cranes fly.
Peach blossoms, flowing waters, and plump mandarin perch. 
Fresh woven hat, green straw coat*,
Mild wind, drizzling rain, don't miss home. 

*straw coats are naturally waterproof.

Zhang Zihe used to be a very important person. He violated some law so he was dismissed from court and returned home. He often fished in the lake and befriended nature. He didn't even have a hut to stay in, he lived in a boat. Some of his friends wanted to give him a better, newer boat but he rejected it. This poor boat fits me, wherever I want to go, I go.

1907 - age 6

My family's straw house was located on a dyke. In front of the house there was a sandy beach. Over the beach was the Yangtze River, and you could see Lu Mountain. Even if the house was very primitive and simple, the scenery around was excellent. During the May 4th revolution, people learned how to write a new style of poetry. So I wrote a poem in this form about my house. 

Long River flowing fast,
Hold Lu's nine tiers,
Scenery pretty as a painting.
Long River north side,
Long dyke winds along,
The sandy plains all become green fields.
Long dyke up above, 
Steam rises from cooking stoves,
Several trees, made of straw, people's homes.