Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Inebriated Eyes



While walking at Cabrillo Beach, saw three trees growing by the sea… The original line was 秦淮河畔三妹影.

1 秦淮河畔柳腰影
By the banks of Qingwai are the shadows of the willow waisted,
2 風到裙起客相迎 Along came the winds, skirts in billow to greet the guests.
3華燈大紅照路引 With huge lanterns shining in red to lead the way,
4 醉眼昏花更多情 They seemed more passionate to the inebriated eyes.

1 The red light district in ancient China. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qinhuai_River. “Willow waisted” - the slim waists of the courtesans.

2 “Winds” refer to the clientele. The girls would gleefully get up in haste to welcome the guests who are like the wind that comes and goes.

3 Red is a lucky color to the Chinese and hence brothels or places of business usually hang blood red lanterns at the front gates.

4 It could be the lanterns that looked so alluring but I think alcohol and women always go hand in hand than with lanterns.

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