Compose This Poem of Similar Rhyme and Theme, in Reply To Government Scribe Mr. Guo: Two Poems: No. 1
和 郭 主 簿 ：二 首
(1)
蔼 蔼 堂 前 林
中 复 贮 清 阴。
凯 风 因 时 来
回 飙 开 我 襟。
息 交 游 闲 业
卧 起 弄 书 琴。
园 蔬 有 余 滋
旧 谷 犹 储 今。
菅 己 良 有 极
过 足 非 所 钦。
舂 怵 作 美 酒
酒 熟 吾 自 斟。
弱 子 戏 我 侧
学 语 未 成 音。
此 事 真 复 乐
聊 用 忘 华 簪。
遥 遥 望 白 云
怀 古 一 何 深。
He Guo Zhu Bu: Er Shou
(1)
Ai ai tang qian lin
Zhong fu zhu qing yin.
Kai feng yin shi lai
Hui biao kai wo jin.
Xi jiao you xian ye
Wo qi nong shu qin.
Yuan shu you yu zi
Jiu gu you chu jin.
Jian ji liang you ji
Guo zu fei suo qin.
Chong shu zuo mei jiu
Jiu shu wu zi zhen..
Ruo zi xi wo ce
Xue yu wei cheng yin.
Ci shi zhen fu le
Liao yong wang hua zan.
Yao yao wang bai yun
Huai gu yi he shen.
Compose This Poem of Similar Rhyme and Theme, in Reply
To Government Scribe Mr. Guo: Two Poems
(1)
Dark and lush trees in the forest behind the living room
Middle of summer, lay down in the quiet shade.
This time of year has southern breezes
Tiny whirlwind opens up my untied shirt, my breadth of mind.
Stopped contact with government friends, now idleness my occupation
Lie down, get up in cycles, play with my books and qin.
Surplus stock of garden vegetables
Last years’ rice harvest had to put into storage.
By ourselves we can only eat so much
With a surplus of the necessities, do not need or admire fancy houses.
Pound the sorghum to make our wine
After the wine has aged, we pour ourselves a cup.
Youngest child plays close to me
He has just started to learn to talk.
This pleasure is truly without compare
I can forget the time when I had to put up my hair.
Far away, gaze into the distance to see the white clouds
Reflecting deeply on the past, when generations of one family lived together.
Notes:
Qin: Ancient stringed musical instrument.
Commentary:
Got to love the line: “With a surplus of the necessities, do not need to admire fancy house.” Surely Mr. Tao knows when enough is enough. A major virtue in my book.