A Poem as Lovely as a Tree: A diversion in Lishui

A group of my colleagues and I went on a day excursion to Lushui. The mountains and rivers were breathtaking. But for now I’d like to share a few photos of some the amazing trees I saw while there.  And for good measure, a couple poems on this, the first day of Spring…

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

 

 

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain. 

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

(Joyce Kilmer 1886–1918)

 

 

 

 

 

 

从明天起, 做一个幸福的人  (Starting tomorrow, I will be a happy person)

喂马, 劈柴, 周游世界 (Feed a horse, split logs, travel the world)

从明天起, 关心粮食和蔬菜  (Starting tomorrow, I will care for crops and vegetables)

我有一所房子, 面朝大海, 春暖花开 (I have a house; it faces the sea, and flowers bloom in spring warmth)

从明天起, 和每一个亲人通信 (Starting tomorrow, I will contact every relative)

告诉他们我的幸福 (I will them about my happiness)

那幸福的闪电告诉我的 (As that lightning bolt of happiness told me)

我将告诉每一个人 (I will tell each and every person)

给每一条河每一座山取一个温暖的名字 (Give every river and every mountain a warmhearted name)

陌生人, 我也为你祝福 (As for strangers, I wish you happiness too)

愿你有一个灿烂的前程 (I wish you a glittering future)

愿你有情人终成眷属 (I wish you a lover who becomes a spouse)

愿你在尘世获得幸福 (I wish that you obtain happiness in this world)

我只愿面朝大海, 春暖花开 (I wish only to face the sea, where flowers bloom in spring warmth)

(Hai Zi 1964-1989)

translation by Hugh Grigg

 

 

 

 

 

Happy first day of Spring.

–artsundone