Summer Rain

The start of a summer tropical storm for Southern California since 1939. Perhaps because of the devastating fire in Maui, the authorities are being cautious or overly so (depending on one’s viewpoint) that Catalina is being evacuated and the military ships are sailed from the San Diego naval base to calmer waters. The official reason was not to hamper rescue efforts if disaster were to happen. I see no connection. Why can’t the naval ships help in the effort? It’s more to protect them from being damaged!

On the positive side, I welcomed the rain (but not the late afternoon quake at Ventura County) because though the drought had lessened, it is not over yet. My thirsty bamboos will be happy with the free water. The rain stopped around 10am and took the opportunity for my daily jog. However, halfway through, it started to rain again. Was able to get inspired to write this…

1 夏朝忽來雨嘉州 Suddenly on a summer’s morning, comes California in rain,
2 雷電九霄水滴漏 Nine Heavens are leaking! Cracked by lightning and thunder.
3 後庭竹林久渴長 Long had my backyard bamboo forest been in thirsting,
4 一陣清風掃盡愁 And one gust of refreshing wind scattering away all sorrow.

1 雨 can be used as a verb. I like the balance in strokes of 嘉 better than 加. Also, 嘉 means auspicious and thus a good omen that my thirsty garden has a free drink.

2 In Chinese mythology there are nine levels of heaven. This line explains why there is rain in California. The tone of 電 sounds better than the original震.

3 Problems of one place is a boon for another. In this case, a leaky heaven is good for my garden.

4 It could mean that the plants or the author’s sorrow had been dispersed. Figuratively, it can be interpreted as life’s uncertainties that sometimes, help is on the way through unexpected situations. The fire in Maui is a direct result from a faraway Hurricane Dora and while California (especially my garden) benefited from Hurricane Hilary.

Sunday, August 20, 2023