鱼玄机诗

Poems of Yu Xuanji


Index

感怀寄人

Sharing What I'm Feeling


恨寄朱弦上
含情意不任
早知云雨会
未起蕙兰心

Pouring my regrets into the red strings of my lute,
I cherish feelings I cannot put into words.
I always knew how to attain the grace I wanted
But have not yet grasped the fragrant heart.

灼灼桃兼李
无妨国士寻
苍苍松与桂
仍羡世人钦

The peaches and the plums, they are in blossom.
I wasn't wrong to seek the best of company.
No longer can I see the distant pines and laurels
But still desire the respect of the common man.

月色苔阶净
歌声竹院深
门前红叶地
不扫待知音

The moonlight washes over these moss stained steps
While from the bamboo grove I hear a distant song.
Outside my gate, the ground is strewn with red leaves.
Don't sweep them. I'm expecting an understanding friend.

-- 鱼玄机


废话

This is another poem, from her last year or so, which indicates Yu Xuanji knows she is dying. Pines are a symbol of long life and they are passing beyond her expectations. Laurel groves also have something to do with Daoist virtue and she no longer expects to achieve this either. She knew which road she wanted and took it. But she didn't reach the end. Of course, who does? You can practice what she practiced for eight decades and the end of the road is still 仓仓天涯遥, beyond the distant edge of Heaven.


Index