This is a profile photo in Facebook that popped up one day as someone whom I may know. Of course, I don't. However, the photo inspired me to pen the last poem of 2019. The first line came to my mind was 一道浮橋至天涯. I had trouble with the rhyming scheme and unable to come up with a theme too. I copped out using an easier path - just change the line to 一道浮橋直上天. Still I could not continue for a few more days and the holidays were coming...
Then during my routine jog, I had a sudden break when the line was changed once more and words began to flow...
一道浮橋天外隔 Separated by a floating bridge is a realm beyond,
此世今時紅塵刻 This world, this hour, this moment in the mortal world.
樂盡凡界身不捨 Enjoying to the fullest, still begrudging to part,
到頭總是宴席客 Alas but in the end, only a dinner guest be.
The last line refers to “天下無不散宴席” There is no such thing as an ending banquet.
I thought I was done for the year. How naive of me because afterwards, 一道浮橋直上天 began to gnaw at me, teasing and challenging me to end. To cut the story short, I was haunted by it well into the month of the beginning year that I finally, during my brush writing practice that I had something to latch on.
Taking a cue from the philosopher, Chuang Tzu's butterfly dream, instead of a butterfly being dreamt; how about an immortal instead? Though a rushed exercise in mentality, I have time to fine tune it later. After all, this blog is about my journey in writing...
遙遠蓬萊難相見 The faraway Immortal Isles are hard to peer.
緣顧紅塵依不捨 All because I looked back -- begrudged to leave this mundane world.
恐疑仙界夢中眠 Yet a fearful suspicion that this fairy world is but my sleepy dream.
I had a wonderful time with you though I am saddened... It seemed that it was not that long ago that I lounged in your springtime, penning another poem...
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