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Cold at the Laticed Window: Meditations in the Autumn Rain
English Poetic Translation
Dark willows host the crying crows; in single silk I stand alone before the crimson-curtained door.
Half an acre of paulownia trees quietly locks a courtyard full of sorrowful rain.
The drops strike the empty stone steps while the deep night refuses to rest;
I recall an old friend clipping candlewicks and talking beside a western window.
It is like lodging in the gathering dark along the river of Chu,
With flickering lanterns scattered by the wind—a wanderer in his youth.
Twilight falls.
Upon former haunts of pleasure.
Now the roadside inns rise chimney-less, for the capital observes the Cold Food festival.
At the tavern I call for wine, sharing cups with wild and gallant companions.
I think of the eastern garden where peaches and plums bloom by themselves in spring;
Are those delicate lips and lovely dimples still the same today?
When the time comes for my return, surely withered petals will remain,
Waiting for a guest to bring wine-cups to the feast.
Half an acre of paulownia trees quietly locks a courtyard full of sorrowful rain.
The drops strike the empty stone steps while the deep night refuses to rest;
I recall an old friend clipping candlewicks and talking beside a western window.
It is like lodging in the gathering dark along the river of Chu,
With flickering lanterns scattered by the wind—a wanderer in his youth.
Twilight falls.
Upon former haunts of pleasure.
Now the roadside inns rise chimney-less, for the capital observes the Cold Food festival.
At the tavern I call for wine, sharing cups with wild and gallant companions.
I think of the eastern garden where peaches and plums bloom by themselves in spring;
Are those delicate lips and lovely dimples still the same today?
When the time comes for my return, surely withered petals will remain,
Waiting for a guest to bring wine-cups to the feast.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
暗柳啼鴉，單衣佇立，小簾朱戶。
桐花半畝，靜鎖一庭愁雨。
灑空階，夜闌未休，故人剪燭西窗語。
似楚江暝宿，風燈零亂，少年羈旅。
遲暮。
嬉遊處。
正店舍無煙，禁城百五。
旗亭喚酒，付與高陽儔侶。
想東園，桃李自春，小脣秀靨今在否。
到歸時，定有殘英，待客攜尊俎。
桐花半畝，靜鎖一庭愁雨。
灑空階，夜闌未休，故人剪燭西窗語。
似楚江暝宿，風燈零亂，少年羈旅。
遲暮。
嬉遊處。
正店舍無煙，禁城百五。
旗亭喚酒，付與高陽儔侶。
想東園，桃李自春，小脣秀靨今在否。
到歸時，定有殘英，待客攜尊俎。
Philological Direct Translation
Dim willows crying crows, single garment standing, small curtain red doors.
Paulownia flowers half an acre, quietly locking one courtyard of sorrowful rain.
Sprinkling empty steps, night deep not yet resting, old friend clipping candle western window conversing.
Like Chu river dark lodging, wind lamp scattered, youth traveler.
Late dusk.
Play roaming place.
Just inn house without smoke, forbidden city hundred five.
Banner pavilion calling wine, entrusted to Gaoyang companion crew.
Think eastern garden, peaches plums naturally spring, small lips fine cheeks now exist whether.
Arriving return time, surely have remnants blossoms, awaiting guest carrying goblet vessel.
Paulownia flowers half an acre, quietly locking one courtyard of sorrowful rain.
Sprinkling empty steps, night deep not yet resting, old friend clipping candle western window conversing.
Like Chu river dark lodging, wind lamp scattered, youth traveler.
Late dusk.
Play roaming place.
Just inn house without smoke, forbidden city hundred five.
Banner pavilion calling wine, entrusted to Gaoyang companion crew.
Think eastern garden, peaches plums naturally spring, small lips fine cheeks now exist whether.
Arriving return time, surely have remnants blossoms, awaiting guest carrying goblet vessel.