Limitless birds merging
with the autumn-colored hills
all along Huazi Ridge
this sadness, too, without end
Another adaptation. I hope that I’ve not strayed too far from the original’s tone.
The transliteration on Chinese-Poems.com offers:
Fly bird go no limit
Join mountain again autumn colour
Up down Huazi Ridge
Melancholy feeling what extreme
This version of “Huazi Ridge” first appeared in June, 2014.
Excuse my ignorance – but the swallows and on the concrete are synonymous with….? Where is Huazi Ridge?
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No direct correlation to the poem. I liked the images. I’m not sure where Huazi Ridge is, other than China. Perhaps in the Qinling mountain range?
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You are a Pro-!
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Lovely! I think your translation is beautiful!
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Thanks, Meg.
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I really enjoy your translations, and I love that you give us the mangled mess of a translation from which you draw them.
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Thank you, Ellen. The transliterations offer a sort of entry portal. Then it’s a matter of adapting mood and tone. Always fun.
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So beautiful, Robert. I tugs at a deep human sadness within.
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Wang Wei is still relevant after all these centuries! He touches on those universal feelings.
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Splendid!
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Thanks, Ken. You might try some of these. They take your mind elsewhere.
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I’ve been trying to go in some different directions, so that’s something to consider. Thanks.
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It forces me to concentrate on individual words, and how to make the biggest and most useful impact with them. And it’s fun, too. I think your voice would blend well.
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I love the rawness of original translations, I also loved your effort, deftly accomplished as usual, to create a splendid scene.
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Thank you, Anita. I enjoy working with these.
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Very fine. The transliteration itself has a certain charm.
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Thank you. I wish I had access to transliterations with extensive notes. The English lacks the nuance of the original characters.
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This was beautiful. That first picture is incredible. Did you take that picture? I can’t stop staring.
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Thanks, Serena. No, I found the photo on morguefile.com, along with most of the photos I use.
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Ah, okay. Well it is the perfect shot!
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The colors are really appealing; I found myself looking at it for quite some time as well.
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Oh, yes. a stunning shot!
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It seemed to so perfectly match the poem that I had no choice but to use it!
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This was so lovely and bittersweet…just stirring to the soul, I think.
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Wang Wei gets all the credit. His poems still make us feel!
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Lovely
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Thank you, as always, Derrick.
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definitely extreme melancholy…
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Melancholy, wistfulness, wonder…
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Rather than straying, it feels to me as if you captured this perfectly, Bob. The likening of those limitless birds to sadness without end, well … that’s just what I feel in the original. But –no offense to Wang Wei — I like yours better.
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Thanks, Cate. Wang Wei has long been a favorite of mine.
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very nice, robert. the first photo reminds me of the hills around the great wall area outside of beijing.
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Thanks, John. I have no idea where the photo was taken, but it fit so well with the poem that I was compelled to use it.
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As a nature lover ,I find a connection with this
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Thank you! I’m very pleased it resonates with you.
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Most welcome
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Help me get followers for my blog..
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I don’t know how to help except to advise you to post regularly, use tags, visit many blogs, like, comment, and engage with other bloggers. Do this and your following will grow. It takes time and much effort.
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Even without knowing the Chinese every time you do one of these you get closer to the Chinese spirit. The immortals must favor your work.
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I feel favored, Angela. Believe me, I do.
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I, too, like the transliterations. But your version is quite lovely.
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Thanks, Jilanne. No matter how many translations of these poems I find, all differ. I love that!
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