Tao Yuanming: First Day of the Fifth Month

 

[updated September 2022]

First Day of the Fifth Month, Linked Poetry Reply To Government Scribe Dai

 

五 月 旦 作 和 戴 主 簿
虚 舟 纵 逸 棹
回 复 遂 无 穷。
发 岁 始 俛 仰
星 纪 奄 将 中。
明 两 萃 时 物
北 林 荣 且 丰。
禅 萍 写 时 雨
晨 色 奏 景 风。
既 来 孰 不 去
人 理 固 有 终。
居 常 待 其 尽
曲 肱 岂 伤 冲。
迁 化 或 夷 险
肆 志 无 窊 隆。
即 事 如 已 高
何 必 升 华 嵩。

 

Wu Yue Dan Zuo He Dai Zhu Bu

Xu zhou zong yi zhao
Hui fu sui wu qigong.
Fa sui shi mian yang
Xing ji yan jiang zhong.

Ming liang cui shi wu
Bei lin rong qie feng.
Chan ping xie shi yu
Chen se zou jing feng.

Ji lai shu bu qu
Ren li gu you zhong.
Ju chang dai qi jin
Qu gong qi shang chong.

Qian hua huo yi xian
Si zhi wu wa long.
Ji shi ru yi gao
He bi sheng hua song.

 

First Day of the Fifth Month, Linked Poetry Reply to Government Scribe Dai

My life like gently-down-the-stream without touching the oars
The four seasons satisfy without limits.
Coming new year begins again so soon
Suddenly half of the twelve-year zodiac has passed.

Bright and clear, the season and its manifestations come together
Northern forests also grow lush and dense.
It is the season for the rain spirits to write and sprinkle
Morning colors, soft summer breezes arrive.

It’s well known all natural things arrive, and then must depart
People and the human condition follows too, this natural way.
Living here simply, wait for the end
Leaning on bent arm, no need to injure the Way.

Soft and dangerous times always change and revolve
Follow your heart’s intent, then do not care about the ups and downs.
Approach your tasks as if you are above it all and unattached
Do not have to literally live up in the high mountains.

 

Notes:

Linked poetry: Poetry that is written back and forth between two or more people.

Gently-down-the-stream: Literary allusion to the song: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”.

The Way:  The way of the Dao.