Enlightenment 1
(To the Tune of "An Ugly Servant")
Xin, Qi-ji (1140-1207 CE)
Prologue. I inscribed this poem on the mountain side along a path on Bo-shan
Mountain.
When I was young,
I did not know what sorrow is.
I loved to ascend a tower to see far.
I loved to ascend a tower to see far.
In order to write poems,
I forced myself to write lines which seemed as though I had been sorrowful.
Now I have experienced all kinds of hardship.
I wish to speak but do not upon reflection.
I wish to speak but do not upon reflection.
I end up remarking upon the cool and nice Autumn.
Notes
1 One may view the following video,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdcKARaoS7Y&feature=related
, to see how this poem is sung by a modern musician.
