Long after Du Fu

chinese style poem

Long After Du Fu.

 

 

I drink plum wine for preference.

The moon my only company

There is no one to take offence.

If I should drink excessively.

 

My wife died many years ago.

Still in my dreams she comes to me

And whispers wise words in my ears.

She tells me show my loyalty.

 

The emperor’s new counsellors.

Are too afraid to disagree.

They have not learnt that emperors.

Prefer truth to dishonesty.

 

The emperor rewarded me.

With honourable retirement

And a grand house beside the sea

Where I could live alone content.

 

As content as I could be.

Without my wife ,far from my friends.

Though they are free to visit me.

The few on whom I can depend.

 

To write and keep me up to date.

On all the gossip of the court.

Provide  me much to contemplate

and give me plenty food for thought.

 

The emperor’s not satisfied.

With his new counsellors advice.

He knows I am well qualified.

It would not come as a surprise.

 

If he commanded I return

Back to the court to serve again.

Although in exile I still yearn

To mingle with the loyal men.

 

Who guard the emperor’s interests.

But aren’t afraid to disagree.

I think experience is the best

Perhaps the only guarantee.

 

That the Emperor can expect.

From counsellors who he employs.

They have a duty to protect.

A task for men not untried boys.

 

My friends at court will plant the seed.

And nourish it quite openly.

The emperor will see the need.

For seasoned counsellors like me.

 

To teach his new young counsellors.

The skills that they so sadly lack.

And rectify their youthful errors.

I hope that he will call me back..

 

 

 

 

I miss the lively cut and thrust.

Of the life I knew at court.

I knew I had the emperor’s trust.

To serve him well my only thought.

 

I know it’s just a foolish dream

Which has no chance of coming true.

But I still love to plot and scheme.

That’s all that I was trained to do.

 

Friday, 15 June 2012