Poem 171
Wen Tianxiang (1236 – 1283)
The steps on heaven’s path are dark and steep
Yet though the years are cold my heart is true;
Throughout my life I’ve sought to walk alone,
A fallen leaf on Shouyang’s scattered dew.
| Chinese 第一百七十一 文天祥 天衢陰崢嶸 歲寒心匪他 平生獨往願 零落首陽阿 | Pronunciation Dì Yī Bǎi Qī Shí Yī Wén Tiānxiáng Tiān qú yīn zhēng róng Suì hán xīn fěi tā Píng shēng dú wǎng yuan Líng luò shǒu yáng ā |
Transliteration and Notes
Number One Hundred Seven Ten One
Heaven path shadow towering lofty
Year cold heart not other
Even life alone go desire
Scattered fallen Shou Yang Mountain
“Towering lofty” means steep. Shou Yang Mountain refers to the story of Boyi and Shuqi, who refused to eat after the fall of the Shang Dynasty and therefore dying for their principles. It symbolizes perseverance in one’s beliefs no matter the hardship. “Heaven path” is a spiritual journey of one with deep moral conviction. The steep slope, cold, and darkness metaphors further reinforce the arduousness of the journey.
Translated poem by Frank Watson (c) 2024
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