Image Credit: Birdy
Thoughts hit upon a new angle for Versedays when we went visiting Shravanabelagola this weekend. Climbing up the couple of hundred steps to a cluster of ancient temples atop the hill, the conversation went something like this:
Thoughts: Say Birdy, we all write poetry.
Birdy: (ignoring protesting leg muscles) Umm yeah, we do.
Thoughts: So why don’t we feature it in Versedays?
Birdy: (stopping to think) Oh yeah, that’s a good idea!
Thoughts: (pleased smile) Yes and we need not torture our readers too much. We can feature one poem of each person each month. So if we put up my poem on one of the Versedays this month, then next month will be yours and so on.
Birdy: Sounds great! Phew and finally here we are at the top!
(Soul who has already clambered ahead shouts in joyful agreement!)
Now readers, what do YOU guys think of this idea? Since Versedays is so well-loved by all of you, do let us know what you feel, all criticisms and suggestions welcome!
Bantering done, let’s move on to this week’s poem. For this Versedays, I chose one of China’s most popular poets. Li Bai also known as Li Po is one of China’s foremost literary figures and his works have undergone various translations including those by British poet Ezra Pound. By far his most famous poem is “Drinking Alone by Moonlight.” But instead of that I want to present one of his lesser known poems called “Clearing at Dawn.” A short piece, but the imagery and exquisite language had me transported to the place he has described in the poem. I am sure the original in Chinese would be much more scintillating.
Clearing at Dawn
by
Li Bai aka Li Po
The fields are chill, the sparse rain has stopped;
The colours of Spring teem on every side.
With leaping fish the blue pond is full;
With singing thrushes the green boughs droop.
The flowers of the field have dabbled their powdered cheeks;
The mountain grasses are bent level at the waist.
By the bamboo stream the last fragment of cloud
Blown by the wind slowly scatters away.
Translated by: Arthur Waley (1919)
by
Li Bai aka Li Po
The fields are chill, the sparse rain has stopped;
The colours of Spring teem on every side.
With leaping fish the blue pond is full;
With singing thrushes the green boughs droop.
The flowers of the field have dabbled their powdered cheeks;
The mountain grasses are bent level at the waist.
By the bamboo stream the last fragment of cloud
Blown by the wind slowly scatters away.
Translated by: Arthur Waley (1919)
LOVING this!! Thursdays are one of my favorite days!
ReplyDeleteHa! Clever Birdy did NOT mention that her poetry has actually been published!
ReplyDeleteAs always awesome choice of poetry and a picture to go with it.
Short, simple yet a charming piece!
I especially liked the subtle hint of a "woman-thing" about this poem - "powedered cheeks", "level at the waist" very clever and of course too beautiful!
Cynthia - Thanks as always for your comments, they are so encouraging!
ReplyDeleteThoughts - Shush my poetry publishing is a secret! :D I love the way you did your bit of analysis again :D
Oh..this is truly wonderful! The vivid imagery and expressions paint a breathtaking picture! Lovely choice Birdy, and of course I loved the pic to go with it!
ReplyDelete@Thoughts: I loved your observation about the "woman-thing" in the poem!
I`d love to read your poetry!!! :)
ReplyDeleteVandy - Thanks and yes Thoughts' analysis is wonderful right?
ReplyDeleteBina - Yaaay!
Would love to read the poetry of you all :) Looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteThis poem by Li Bai is very beautiful! He is one of China's great poets and there are a lot of stories about him. There is a book called 'The Anchor Book of Chinese Poetry : From Ancient to Comtemporary, the full 3000-year tradition'. You can check it out if you are interested. It has many of Li Bai's poems and poems by other famous Chinese poets.
Vishy - Thanks, will post one of our poems next! And thanks for the book recommendation, will definitely check it out :)
ReplyDelete