Retirement

This poem takes poetic licence to paint a pretty picture of an idyllic life. In real life, I was in the car under some shade of a building waiting for mundane chores such as grocery shopping to be done. Unless one when one is six feet under, removal of such life’s accoutrements is simply not possible. We truly had became creatures of modern comfort.

1 萬里晴天不見雲 For ten thousand miles, nary a cloud in the sunny skies,
2 柳樹蔭下作曲韻 By the willows, under it shade, setting rhyme to songs.
3 兩袖清風無限貴 Upright incorruptibility is such a rare and precious trait,
4 榮華棄盡心未貧 Riches and glory forsaken and yet the heart is never poor.

1 An exaggeration of the vastness of the sky.

3 In ancient days, the well to do have long sleeves with inside pockets to hold personal items such as strings of coins, etc. “Two sleeves of pure breeze” means the person is upright, virtuous and never took bribes.

4 The first line refers to one cannot escape from responsibilities, trials and tribulations in the mundane world. Just like seeking refuge from the heat i.e., seeking protection under the wing of the  powerful. When all material accoutrements of life are forsaken, peace of mind and tranquility can truly be attained.

Monday, August 2, 2021