[updated September 2022]
Poems About Trees: Eight Poems: No. 7
有 木 诗 ： 八 首
有 木 名 凌 霄
擢 秀 非 孤 标。
偶 依 一 株 树
遂 抽 百 尺 条。
托 根 附 树 身
开 花 寄 树 梢。
自 谓 得 其 势
无 因 有 动 摇。
一 旦 树 摧 倒
独 立 暂 飘 飖。
疾 风 从 东 起
吹 折 不 终 朝。
朝 为 拂 云 花
暮 为 委 地 樵。
寄 言 立 身 者
勿 学 柔 弱 苗。
You Mu Shi: Ba Shou
You mu ming ling xiao
Zhuo xiu fei gu biao.
Ou yi yi zhu shu
Sui chou bai chi tiao.
Tuo gen fu shu shen
Kai hua ji shu shao.
Zi wei de qi shi
Wu yin you dong yao.
Yi dan shu cui dao
Du li zan piao yao.
Ji feng cong dong qi
Chui shi bu zhong zhao.
Zhao wei fu yun hua
Mu wei wei di qiao.
Ji yan I shen zhe
Wu zi rou ruo miao.
Poems About Trees: Eight Poems: No. 7
These trees have the famous Ling Xiao climbing vines
They exude crowded elegance on the tree tops.
Their growth depends upon nearby trees
Able to use stems one hundred feet above the ground.
Their roots and life attached to their trees
Opening blossoms entrusted to branch tips.
Naturally say their names with power and force
Without a reason, they feel confident and strong.
One day they may break and fall down
For a brief time, these flowers will wobble and sway.
When the strong eastern winds arise
By the end of the day, blowing winds remove and cleanse.
At dawn, their flowers seem to touch the clouds
By sunset, broken branches gathered for firewood.
Listen to my words that stand up for life and people
Do not learn to be soft and dependent, like the seedlings of these climbing vines.
Notes:
Ling Xiao: In English they are known as the Chinese Trumpet Creeper, or the Campsis Grandiflora.
Commnetary:
We too could learn from the example set by the Ling Xiao, especially from the words in the last line.