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Awaking on a Boat at Night

Su Shi 1036-1101 A light breeze soughs quietly,         blowing river grasses. I open the hatch expecting rain;         moonlight fills the lake. Boatman and river birds         share the same dream; A large fish suddenly jumps         and dives like a darting fox. Late at night people and creatures         are oblivious of each other, While in my case alone, form and shadow         delight each other. The dark tide appears at the bank,         pity the cold crawlers, The setting moon hangs in the willow,         see the spider suspended. In this hurried life,         spent amid worries and troubles, Pure scenes pass before the eyes--         how long can they last? Cocks crow, bells sound,         flocks of birds take flight. Drums beat on the bow,         shout answers shout.

Zhōu Zhōng Yè Qǐ

Sū Shì 1036-1101 Wēi fēng xiāoxiāo chuī gū pǔ, Kāi mén guān yǔ yuè mǎn hú. Zhōurén shuǐniǎo liǎng tóng mèng, Dà yú jīng chuàn rú bēn hú. Yè shēn rén wù bù xiāng guǎn, Wǒ dú xíng yǐng xiāng xī yú. Àn cháo shēng zhǔ diào hán yǐn, Luò yuè guà liǔ kàn xuán zhū. Cǐ shēng hūhū yōuhuàn lǐ, Qīng jìng guòyǎn néng xūyú. Jī míng zhōng dòng bǎi niǎo sàn, Chuán tóu jī gǔ hái xiāng hū.

Translator:

Ron Egan 艾朗諾

Notes: From Ron Egan's definitive book on Su Shi (Su Dongpo), Word Image and Deed In The Life Of Su Shi, Harvard University Press. Used with permission. Professor Egan teaches at the University of California, Santa Barbara, California.

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