Lament for Five White Cat (after Mei Yao-ch’en)
Five White cat always made sure
no rats gnawed my books,
but this morning Five White died.
On the river I offered up rice and fish,
and buried you in its lazy currents,
chanting my lament. I could never neglect you.
One time you caught a rat
and carried it squealing around the yard
to frighten all the other rats
and keep my cottage clear of them.
We’ve shared space aboard this boat,
and although the food is meager
it’s free of rat piss and droppings
because you were so diligent,
more so than any chicken or pig.
Some people speak highly of horses,
saying nothing compares to them or donkeys.
But we’re done with that discussion!
My tears prove it so.
* * *
The transliteration from Chinese-poems.com:
Self have 5 white cat
Rat not invade my books
Today morning 5 white die
Sacrifice with rice and fish
See off it at middle river
Incantation you not you neglect
Before you bite one rat
Hold in mouth cry around yard remove
Want cause crowd rat frightened
Thought will clear my cottage
From board boat come
Boat in together room live
Dry grain although its thin
Evade eat drip steal from
This real you have industriousness
Have industriousness surpass chicken pig
Ordinary person stress spur horse drive
Say not like horse donkey
Already finish not again discuss
For you somewhat cry
A Song Dynasty poet, Mei Yao-ch’en (or Mei Yaochen) died in 1060. His great poems live on.
O at the Edges 
Wonderful. I need some great poems this morning.
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Thank you, Robert. I hope this finds you well.
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No one can question whether a companion qualifies as a companion. The last line testifies to that.
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Yes, indeed, Ken.
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Love the wry humor.
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Thank you, Mike.
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Its very beautiful. Its satirical.
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Thank you.
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I’m enjoying your Chinese translations this morning and I think this one of your best.
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Thanks very much! Mei inspires!
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Thanks for sharing, I always love catching up on your poetry during my lunch hour. What are some of your favorites that you’ve posted?
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I’ve had great fun recording some of the poems, so I’d have to say “How to Write a Poem” https://robertokaji.com/2018/05/27/recording-of-how-to-write-a-poem/, and Helsinki, The Draft, and Magic, the three of which can be found through the Recordings page. I’ve also enjoyed writing the Scarecrow poems, and various letter poems, which you can find via the search function at the top of the page.
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Ah boy. This hit a sore spot. Thanks for sharing.
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He wrote the poem nearly a thousand years ago, but it still rings true.
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Deep and delicate, just like a cat. (K)
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Mei’s powerful poem rings true, even today. Especially today!
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Oh Robert, what an incredibly powerful finale to a glorious poem,
“But we’re done with that discussion!
My tears prove it so.”
Thank you for your lovely translation, I so enjoy these pieces you do.
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All credit goes to Mei.
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Your interpretation is lovely, and you’re not a thousand years old….
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But I feel like it today…
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Oh wow, that’s an ancient feeling !!
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Old, but without the wisdom…
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A beautiful rendering of the poet’s sorrow, especially for a dog-lover (though I suspect you have loved animals of many kinds in your life).
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Our animal companions touch us deeply, don’t they?
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Such a touching expression of grief for a loved pet.
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A universal feeling, spanning the centuries.
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Excellent. Great finale. (Had me wondering what the Chinese for rat piss is)
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Thanks, Derrick. Ha! I wonder.
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I love your transliterations. They really take on a life of their own while honoring the source. And I can never see the Song Dyn. referred to now without thinking of Kubilai Khan, having just read a biography about him.
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Thanks, Daniel. Now you’ve placed Coleridge in my head…
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Don’t do drugs kids. You’ll take a what started as a large decorated hunting yert in Shangdu and turn it into a giant “pleasure dome” in Xanadu…
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I just lost my cat suddenly…this poem, your expression of it, strikes directly. 💔
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Oh, Carrie. I am so sorry.
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