Su Dongpo: Take Up Residence Overlooking the Wetlands and a Pavilion

 

[updated September 2022]

 

Take Up Residence Overlooking the Wetlands and a Pavilion

 

迁 居 临 皋 亭
我 生 天 地 闻
一 蚁 寄 大 磨。
区 区 欲 右 行
不 救 风 轮 左。
虽 云 走 仁 义
未 免 违 寒 饿。
剑 米 有 危 炊
针 毡 无 稳 坐。
岂 无 佳 山 水
借 眼 风 雨 过 。
归 田 不 待 老
勇 决 凡 几 个。
幸 兹 废 弃 余
疲 马 解 鞍 驮。
全 家 占 江 驮
绝 境 天 为 破。
饥 贫 相 乘 除
未 见 可 吊 贺 。
淡 然 无 忧 乐
苦 语 不 成 些。

 

Qian Ju Lin Gao Ting

Wo sheng tian di jian
Yi yi ji da mo.
Qu qu yu you xing
Bu jiu feng lun zuo.

Sui yun zou ren yi
Wei mian wei han e.
Jian mi you wei chui
Zhen zhan wu wen zuo.

Qi wu jia shan shui
Jie yan feng yu guo.
Gui tian bu dai lao
Yong jue fan ji ge.

Xing zi fei qi yu
Pi ma jie an tuo.
Quan jia zhan jiang yi
Jue jing tian wei po.

Ji pin feng cheng chu
Wei jian ke diao he.
Dan ran wu you le
Ku yu bu cheng xie.

 

Take Up Residence Overlooking the Wetlands and a Pavilion

My life spent between heaven and earth
Like one ant trying to escape and move opposite from a large millstone
One hopes to travel west, but the wind often blows to the east.
Although I talk about humanity and justice, these not enough to avoid
cold and hunger.

Having rice to cook a meal, in peril from too many swords
Sitting on pins and needles without being calm.
Have beautiful landscapes, but like the wind and rain, passes quickly by.
Return to a rural life before old age.

Very few ordinary people can do this
Fortunately now I have been thrown away like surplus
Like an old exhausted horse with the saddle removed.
My entire family together at a remote ferry crossing.

This situation so poor, can see the sky through our roof
Hunger and poverty not separated from us
Do not see to complain, or to celebrate our lot.
Unconcerned and happy without a worry or care
Bitter words do not achieve any goals.