LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY Poem by a Chinese Prime Minister & Poems for 4 SEASONS can be read in REVERSE
LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY
In the sound of the firecrackers dismisses the old year;
With the Spring breeze blowing, sipping a small cup of specialty wine Tu-Su brings warmth and comfort;
When the morning sun comes through the window, bringing the bright light, every household is welcoming this new day;
Every family busily taken down the old faded red paper, pasting the new strips written with lucky and inspiring words.
Written by Wang On-Shek 王安石 who was a Prime Minister and a Reformer during the Northern Sung Dynasty (960–1127).
POEMS for 4 SEASONS
CHANTING SPRING
A few branches of flowers delicately leaning against a stone step;
Thousands of silky branches of the willow trees are swaying gently in the breeze;
Red clouds are covering half of the mountain peak, the sun is setting in the west;
The moon is rising at this lonely village behind a pine tree.
CHANTING SUMMER
On a cool summer day, I returned the emerald hairpin to the match-maker and got a chilly look;
Even though, there is a balmy summer breeze, yet drinking water from the well, the cold penetrates the teeth;
Burning an aromatic incense, writing calligraphy in fanciful style, the fumes is being blown upward like numerous greenish threads;
The bright moon is casting its shadow on the paper screen window is white and round.
CHANTING AUTUMN
The reeds are turning snow-white, so is the water along the low level band along the river showing signs of Autumn;
The leaves on the willow trees are withering, the branches swaying in the wind, in the evening the distant mountain turns deep green and hoary;
In an empty lodging place, the lonely lamp waking up the guest from a frightening dream;
The lone goose is on an expedition in carrying a letter to a far-away homeland.
CHANTING WINTER
The weather is freezing, the rain is chilly, during the day, all doors are closed;
The snow is flying, the wind is cold, during the night, even the city gate is closed;
The glow of the charcoal fire is red hot, gathering around the stove to keep warm;
Filling the teacups with some nice, green, fragrant, warm tea.
These 4 poems can be read in REVERSE.
These poems were written by Hsue Sen-Ga 薛仙姬, a famous courtesan during Tang Dynasty (618–907).
English translation by Sailan (January 2, 2023).
A monthly (21st of each month) short video in the theme of “Simple Joy in Life is …..” can be viewed on: youtube.com/@sailan7p
