Member Poem

Du Fu (712-770)

Staying Overnight at the Ministry in Spring

Flowers are hidden

in the sidewalls of the palace at dusk

While passing through

is the chirping, chirping of birds.

Stars ascend above

the thousands of homes

As the moon draws near,

through nine layers of heaven.

Not resting,

I listen for the golden key to open the palace,

And through the wind

I sense the jade-like chimes.

Tomorrow morning

I must confer my letter of advice

And often I ask this night,

“what should I do?”

Dù Fǔ

Chūn sù zuǒ shěng

Huā yǐn yē yuán mù,

Jiū jiū qī niǎo guò.

Xīng lín wàn hù dòng,

Yuè bàng jiǔ xiāo duō.

Bù qǐn tīng jīn yào,

Yīn fēng xiǎng yù kē.

Míng zhāo yǒu fēng shì,

Shù wèn yè rú hé.

Pear-tree Just-now=Du Fu(712-770)

Spring lodge-for-the-night Left Ministry

[Left Ministry/province= refers to Menxia Department, the top advisory bureau and the general office. It’s located in the left of the main palace. Thus, also called the Left Department.]

Flower/blossom hidden/concealed/secret tuck-in/fold-up wall/low-wall evening/sunset/dusk

[tuck-in wall=sidewalls of a palace]

Chirp/wailing-of-child chirp/wailing-of-child perch/rest(of birds) bird pass/cross/go-over/pass-through/go-across

Star to-face/overlook/draw-near/approach thousands/ten-thousand household/family/house move

Moon near/approaching/by-side-of/close/beside nine heaven/sky/clouds many/a-lot-of/numerous

[nine heaven/firmament=idiom, the highest level of the sky. Ancient Chinese believes there’re 9 levels in the sky.]

Not lie-down/sleep/rest listen/hear golden/gold key

[golden/gold key= the key to open the gates in the imperial palaces]

Because/cause/reason wind/news think/believe/suppose/to-wish/want/miss jade jade-like-stone(inferior kind of jade)

[jade jade-like-stone= the horse bell]

Tomorrow/bright/clear morning have/there-is/exist/to-be to-seal/envelope/letter/confer/grant matter/thing/item/work /affair

[Usually, ancient officials sealed their letter of advice in a black envelope. This kind of advice, 封事 or “Feng Shi,” was usually written advice regarding small issues. For big issues, the official has to admonish at court, called “Ting Zheng” in Chinese.]

Frequently/repeatedly/several/enumerate/criticize ask(about)/inquire-after night as/such/if/supposing what/where/why/how

[as/such what=how, what way]