An Autumn Fast (poem by Bai Juyi)

Lately I've been looking more or less at random through the work of various Tang poets -- Li Bai, Du Fu and Wang Wei -- searching for poems about autumn that suit my current mood.  This morning I stumbled upon this gem from Bai Juyi.

Bai Juyi was one of the more prolific Tang poets.  He lived in the middle Tang period from 772-846.  More so than many of his contemporaries, he achieved considerable success in his lifetime, both as a poet and high government official, serving as provincial governor on several occasions.  He was also a Chan Buddhist.  His poems are relatively simple and straightforward and his extensive body of work ended up being a major influence in both China and Japan, as Chan gave rise to Zen and its rich literary heritage.

Autumn Fast

Bai Juyi

At daybreak arising to

Prepare for a cold autumn fast

The desolate scene

Suited to my bleak mood

A cool breeze at both windows

Stirring in the bamboo grove 

And white dew coats the pine

In the courtyard below 

As Ruan Ji schemed

To appear inept and drunk

And Ji Kang pursued

Health through rest

So at this point in life

Following my own path

I conjure a vast spirit residing

In each heartbeat and breath

*  *  *  *  *

Bai Juyi - preparing to fast

*  *  *  *  *

秋斋

白居易

晨起秋斋冷    萧条称病容

清风两窗竹    白露一庭松

阮籍谋身拙    嵇康向事慵

生涯别有处    浩气在心胸

*  *  *  *  *

One brief textual note.  Ruan Ji and Ji Kang who are mentioned in the third stanza were both members of the famous group of scholars and poets from the 3rd century known as the Seven Scholars of the Bamboo Grove.  I don't know much about their work but they are renowned as the bohemians of their day, scandalizing the Confucians with their poetry and wild drinking.  It's an interesting reference for Bai to include here and it's clearly important to his overall theme.   Provincial governor and Chan Buddhist, I am struck by his focus in the final stanzas, as he pursues his own meditative path.

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The Curtain Call

Loolu our cocker spaniel died yesterday after 15 years and 5 months as a stalwart member of the family.  It was a miserable rainy afternoon as Marissa and I laid her to rest in the backyard, in a sheltered corner between the lilacs and the hibiscus.  We will miss her dearly.  She helped raise both our sons, shared lox with us every Sunday morning, was our companion on countless walks around the block and watched over us all and guarded our sleep.   Now it's time for us to return the many favors she bestowed upon us.

* * * * 

For Loolu I’m grieving

Tonight as she’s laying 

For the first time underneath

A few dozen shovelfuls

Of sodden earth

Wrapped in a sheet

That once adorned

The boys’ twin beds

A dog biscuit tossed

Into her open grave 

At the last moment

Only a few inches from

Her tender snout should

Keep her rooting about

At least half way

To eternity

After the first death

There is no other

As the famous poet

Once said refusing to mourn
But really I must take issue

Death is unrelenting

In its assault

It’s everywhere

Around us from

The mouse

In the glue trap

To Grandpa Pete

In his soiled sheets

Soon enough it

Will run the table

And break the house

We are all

The living heirs

Of death

Justly or not

We come into

Our inheritance

A moment too late

And now there’s nothing

To be done about it

Except to say goodnight

Sweet Loolu

Goodnight

Autumn Evening Sitting Alone

Here's my translation of a poem by the great Tang poet Wang Wei.  I came across this recently and it strikes me as near perfect way to describe my current frame of mind - very aware of the passing seasons but longing for something more.  In the case of Wang Wei, the poem (and in particular the last stanza) can only be understood in reference to his practice of Chan Buddhism.

Autumn Evening Sitting Alone

Sitting alone in sadness

Both temples furrowed

In an empty room

Awaiting second watch

There’s rain in the mountains

Where the fruits have fallen

And beneath the lamplight

Crickets cry in the damp grass

Hair grown white

From root to end

Is just as hard to transform

As the purest gold

Yearning for knowledge

To expunge age and illness

But who can attain the wisdom

Beyond birth and death

* * * * *

Here's the original version.  

秋夜独坐

独坐悲双鬓  空堂欲二更

雨中山果落  灯下草虫鸣

白发终难变  黄金不可成

欲知除老病  唯有学无生

*  *  *  * *

And here is a portrait of the scholar Fu Sheng that is a copy of a painting originally credited to Wang Wei:

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