The Marvel of a Marbled Sky

Here we are approaching a critical moment in the lunar cycle, at least ifor like me you subscribe to the basic tenets of Daoist cosmology.  There's a super-moon rising tonight as the moon approaches its perigee.  We are also close to the shortest day of the year as the sun falls into its most diminished capacity.  There's a madman on the throne and things all around us seem to have fallen into a deeply troubled and unsettled state.  This is all perfectly explained as a result of the Yin Ascendency. 

Through the marvel of a marbled sky

Vaulted reminder of autumn passing us by

This morning the sun began reclining southward

No sooner than it rose in the east
Daylight now being held on its tightest leash

And what remains of it will be spent

Awaiting tonight’s main event with 

The veiled ascent of the Cold Moon

 

For those so inclined to continue tonight's lunar celebration, here is my translation of a poem by Li He called The Tenth Moon, the Cold Moon also being the tenth full moon of the year, according to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar.  And this year, as it happens, the Tenth Moon's arrival finds us in this unsettled state, half frozen, the shadows dancing, a madman on the throne; it's a super-moon rising, as the moon approaches its perigee, and we all strain to reach the moment of the Yin extremity.

The water won’t pour from

The jade vase’s slender silver spout

The hanging lantern casts its shadow and light

Playing hide and seek with the night

Frost broken and scattered and dancing

Is spread like a canopy across the lawn

Two rows of candles in their wicker baskets

Shine outside the lady’s chamber

Behind the pearl screen she lies

Troubled and unable to sleep

The gold phoenix has been pricked by a thorn

Not even the bedclothes will keep her warm

Long eyebrows so perfectly matched

The moon strains to reach its climax 

十月

李贺

玉壶银箭稍难倾   

釭花夜笑凝幽明

碎霜斜舞上罗幕   

烛龙两行照飞阁

珠帷怨卧不成眠   

金凤刺衣著体寒

长眉对月斗弯环