[updated October 2022]
Mirror of Feelings
感 镜
铸 镜 广 陵 市
菱 花 匣 中 发。
宿 昔 尝 许 人
镜 成 人 已 没。
如 冰 结 圆 器
类 壁 无 丝 发。
形 影 终 不 临
清 光 殊 不 歇。
一 感 平 生 言
松 枝 挂 秋 月。
Gan Jing
Zhu jing guang ling shi
Ling hua xia zhong fa.
Su xi chang xu ren
Jing cheng ren yi mei.
Ru bing jie yuan qi
Lei bi wu si fa.
Xing ying zhong bu lin
Qing guang shu bu xie.
Yi gan ping sheng yan
Song zhi gua qiu yue.
Mirror of Feelings
Cast copper mirrors from Guangling artisans
Back of the mirrors when opened have water caltrop flowers.
Previously I promised to get you one of these
Mirror made, but the recipient-to-be has gone.
It is like carved circular ice
Resembles jade without veins or other flaws.
Her body and its reflection never able to enjoy
Unusually clear and bright without end.
All one’s life, words should be used to express feelings
Autumn moon hanging from a pine tree branch.
Notes:
Guangling artisans: Copper artisans in what is now called the city of Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province.
Commentary:
Wei’s wife died before she could enjoy this mirror.