Hi Gary,
Great poetry in this series as always. I'd say, taking a phrase from the
oral tradition that you arte in the business of recreating Wang Wei's work.
Both he, Pound and history would see this activity as an honourable act of
creative art.
bw
James
>From: Gary Blankenship <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Translations Below the Mountain - Set 3 and 4
>Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 10:59:16 -0800
>
>Translations Below the Mountain - Set 3
>
>
>
>(Wherein we do the third quarter of the River poems.)
>
>
>
>Huazi Ridge (2)
>
>
>
>Birds fly on forever and forever,
>
>autumn color returns to the hills.
>
>Along the highs and lows of Huaza Ridge,
>
>I see no end to despair and sorrow.
>
>
>
>
>
>Temple-Tree Path (8)
>
>
>
>The trail narrow through shrub and locust -
>
>unlight, moss grows green and rich.
>
>Sweep the path before our gate,
>
>prepare for a mountain monk's visit.
>
>
>
>Wei's Fine Apricot Lodge (3)
>
>
>
>Beams of fine-grain apricot,
>
>Fragrant rush and grass for a roof.
>
>Will clouds settled in the rafters,
>
>bring rain to the villagers?
>
>
>
>
>
>Lacquer Tree Garden (19)
>
>
>
>The keeper of this garden was not arrogant,
>
>the old cleric knew nothing of the affairs of men.
>
>Appointed to this humblest of post,
>
>caretaker for a few dead and dying trees.
>
>
>
>Note: The poem is about a Tao philosopher, Chuang-tzu (ca 360), who
>defined and may have solely invented Taoism. He is known for the story:
>
>
>
>Chuang-Tzu once dreamed he was a butterfly. When he awoke, he no longer
>knew if he was a butterfly dreaming he was a man, or a man who had dreamed
>he was a butterfly.
>
>
>
>In the state of Meng, he was keeper of the Lacquer Tree Garden.
>
>
>
>
>
>White Rock Shoals (15)
>
>
>
>White Rock Rapids run clean and shallow,
>
>you can almost touch the soft cattail bloom.
>
>Villagers on the east river and west,
>
>wash their best silks by the new moon.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Wang Wei's River Wang - Translations Below the Mountain - Set 4
>
>
>
>(Wherein we do the last five of the River poems with a word about
>translation.)
>
>
>
>Lake Yi (11)
>
>Music from a flute drifted to this shore,
>
>At sunset, I wished you a last farewell.
>
>The blue mountains become white clouds
>
>as I turn my gaze towards the water.
>
>
>
>
>
> Waves of Willow Trees (12)
>
>
>
>Young willows grasp each other,
>
>their shades ripples on the stream -
>
>Unlike those upon the castle moat
>
>when spring is tarnished by farewells.
>
>
>
>
>
>North Hill (16)
>
>
>
>North Hill stands above the lake,
>
>near thick bushes a bright red gate.
>
>Below South River flows to the horizon,
>
>glimpsed through the forest tree-tops.
>
>
>
>
>
>Stream of Powdered Gold (14)
>
>
>
>Drink from the Stream of Powdered Gold
>
>and live one thousand days or more.
>
>Be presented to the Jade Emperor
>
>on a cart drawn by phoenix and young dragons.
>
>
>
>
>
>After Wang Wei's Pepper Tree Garden (20)
>
>
>
>With cinnamon wine, welcome the royal daughters;
>
>give gifts of fragrant grass to the Beautiful Goddess;
>
>and greet the Prince of Clouds
>
>with peppered drink and sumptuous feast.
>
>
>
>
>
>A note about translation. First, I do not speak or read Chinese; therefore
>I must rely on the literal translations of others and on the English
>versions from my library. In most cases, I have 5 or 6 versions, but as
>little as 2 and for Deer Park over 30.
>
>
>
>Are my translations really translations? Is it possible to write a
>translation without knowing the language? Pound did it, but I would not
>dare to presume I am a Pound. Of course, it should be noted that he made
>many mistakes, his source flawed.
>
>
>
>But I'm not sure that is the right question. As long as I am for something
>original that honors the mood of Wang Wei, I will be satisfied. Synder and
>Rexroth changed Deer Park to their style - original work, original poetry.
>Again, I am not close to their level, but that should be a good enough goal
>for any of us.
>
>
>
>
>
>**For the Fall issue** go to
>http://www.mindfirerenew.com/<http://www.mindfirerenew.com/> for THE BEST
>NEW ZINE ON THE WEB and to
>http://www.mindfirerenew.com/fireweednov/1104-front.html<http://www.mindfirerenew.com/fireweednov/1104-front.html>
>for our new issue of monthly mini-zine. Poets for Peace.... ˇPoemas sí,
>balas no!
|
