In the South of the Yangtze River by Chunzi

[snowynight]

◎ 在江南   文/ 纯子   山河还是旧貌。因此 在江南，我仍然无山可靠，但所幸 有水可傍。一条长江， 让我拥有弱水三千，而且不限 只取一瓢饮：一节莲藕 有着我想要的清白，一棵垂柳， 有着我想要的婀娜。我不仅有柔情的左邻 拱桥，还有温和的右舍 亭台。因此这些年 在江南，我一直无法心比天高， 但命，一点不比纸薄： 我有宽阔的江面，我还有优质的水源 我临渊，可织网授渔， 更可学鱼跃，在低处， 练鸿鹄之志。   注：以上选自《在江南》组诗之一，可点击诗人纯子的原作： http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_59bfaafe0100nsr9.html

◎In the South of the Yangtze River   by Chunzi    tr. Lush Greenness   The southern terrain looks the same as before. Hence In the region, I've no dependable mountains nearby, but luckily I'm close to water sources. The long river Offers me three thousand slim rivulets, and I’m not limited to Ladle out how much tender water: a white lotus root Owns what I demand—innocence, and a willow tree Possesses a graceful posture I appreciate. I have a softhearted neighbour Arch bridge on the left, but also to the right there're peaceful Pavilions. For this reason, year in year out, In the south of the river am I unable to become lofty-minded But my fate is not so thin as a piece of paper: I enjoy myself before the broad river, full of high-quality water. Standing on the water edge, I can weave nets for fishing, I can practise jumping like a fish, and on the lowlands I'm to foster high aspirations, just like swans flying in the sky.

Comments

[lnhammer]

This is a bit late, but I keep coming back to that final quatrain.

---L.

[snowynight]

It's never late. Thanks for enjoying it.