Li Qingzhao: My Lonesome Courtyard Is Desolate Like So 李清照 蕭條庭院 有斜風細雨 重門須閉 Poem by Frank Yue

TUNE: NIAN NU JIAO
"Remembering the Tender, LovelyLady"
TITLE: "My lonesome courtyard is desolate like so"
-by LI QINGZHAO (1084-1151)
-Translated by Frank C Yue

My lonesome courtyard is desolate like so-
Swiped by slanting winds and light rains, all doors must be closed.
Emerald willows without peer,
Flowers radiant, the 'Cold-Meals Day' isnear.
O the rapid-changing weather (unseenbefore)
Is most annoying of all!
Using extraordinary rhymes to finish averse,
A fading hangover I still nurse.
Certainly, in a leisurely mood, I am immers'd.
Now that all the wild geese have gone,
It's hard to send my letter with myriad feelings written on!

My boudoir has weathered many a Springnight's chill;
On four sides there, the curtains arehanging still.
To lean on the pale railings is the least ofmy will.
The quilt now cold, the incense fragranceand new dreams gone -
How could one, drowned in sorrows, sleepon?
Sparkling dew-pearls roll down morningleaves (and take wing) ,
Young, restless phoenix trees putting forthmany a new thing -
All this inflates my desire to tour thecountry in Spring.
It's high noon, chimney smokes arethinning out;
Let me see if the golden Sun is still outand about.


(2013.10)


【念奴嬌】南宋 • 李清照

蕭條庭院，有斜風細雨，重門須閉。
寵柳嬌花寒食近，種種惱人天氣。
險韻詩成，扶頭酒醒，別是閒滋味。
征鴻過盡，萬千心事難寄。

樓上幾日春寒，簾垂四面，玉欄干慵倚。
被冷香消新夢覺，不許愁人不起。
清露晨流，新桐初引，多少遊春意。
日高煙斂，更看今日晴未？