German poetry
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Spring in a Pleasure Garden: Changsha. Alone, stand in the cold autumn: the Xiang River flowing northward, Orange Isle, Cape Horn. See ten thousand mountains, a red circle, forests piled up and tinged with color; the river is wide, its surface gleaming like jade, with a hundred boats competing in races. Eagles soar high into the sky, while fish float on the bottom of the water – ten thousand species, all striving for freedom under the frosty sky. Dissatisfied with this desolation, I ask the vast blue expanse, the great earth: who can master these ups and downs? Once I came here with a hundred companions. Thoughts of those days: years of pride, months of abundance. They were all learners, young people, honest and upright; extremely passionate. Pointing with their fingers, they would shout “Down!” or “Bravo!” The writings of those times were considered worthless by the powerful. Do you remember: in the midst of the current, there were blows against the water, waves that hindered the boat’s progress? Alone in the cold autumn, the Xiang River flows northward, at Orange Isle. Look at the mountains all ablaze with color, with forests covered in hues. The river is crystal clear, with hundreds of boats competing to move forward. Eagles soar high in the sky, fish swim in the shallow waters; all creatures strive for freedom under the frosty skies. Gloomy and vast, I ask the boundless world: who controls fate? I brought a hundred companions on those journeys; recalling the past, those were days full of excitement and adventure. In our youth, we were classmates, in the prime of our lives. The scholarly spirit, with plans and strategies in hand. Discussing affairs of state, writing passionately – once, even commoners could become nobles. Do you remember, when we went out into the middle of the current, where the waves halted our boat? This post was last edited by sky28205065 on 2009-2-25 08:38.]
Translating the Old Man’s Orange Isle into German is no easy task! Give it some support, hehehe!
I have just found an English version: “Alone I stand in the autumn cold, On the tip of Orange Island, with the Xiang River flowing northward. I see thousands of hills turned crimson by their dense forests, and hundreds of boats competing across the crystal-blue waters. Eagles soar through the air, while fish swim beneath the shallow waters; under the freezing skies, millions of creatures live freely. Contemplating this vastness, I wonder: on this land without boundaries, who controls human destiny? I was here with a group of companions; those months and years remain vivid in my memory. We were young, classmates, at the peak of our lives, filled with youthful enthusiasm; we boldly threw aside all constraints. Pointing to our mountains and rivers, and using our words to inspire others, we considered even the mightiest things to be nothing more than trivialities. I still remember how, venturing out into the middle of the river, we disrupted the flow of the water and caused the boats to stop moving.”
I’ll give one too! Goethe’s, haha! Near the beloved, love is by my side – Author: Goethe. I think of you when the sun’s rays shine from the sea; I think of you when the moon’s glow reflects on the waters. I see you when dust rises on the distant paths; in the deep night, when a traveler trembles on the narrow paths. I hear you when the waves rise with a dull roar. In the quiet woods, I often go to listen, when everything is silent. I am with you, no matter how far you may be. You are near to me! The sun sets, and soon the stars will shine for me. Oh, if only you were here! When the dawn colors the sea red, I think of you ； When the moonlight pierced through the flowing stream, I thought of you again. Whenever dust rises on the distant roads, I see you ； On those deep nights, when the wanderer was troubled at the crossroads, I saw you too. The waves are rising; amid the deep roaring sound, I hear you ； All is silent; in the secluded woods where I often go to listen to nature, I heard you too. I am right beside you, even though you seem to be in such a distant place. You are so close to me! The sun has set, and soon the stars will twinkle for me. Oh, it would be great if you were there too! This post was last edited by sky28205065 on 2009-2-26 12:04.]
The northern landscape: thousands of miles covered in ice, vast areas blanketed in snow. Looking beyond and within the Great Wall, all that remains is vast emptiness ； Up and down the great river, the roaring current ceased entirely. Mountains dance like silver snakes; the plains are filled with wax-like elephants, as if striving to compete in height with the heavens. On a sunny day, one can see the landscape covered in red and white hues, appearing especially enchanting. Such beautiful is this land that it draws countless heroes to bow before it. It’s a shame that the Emperors of Qin and Han lacked some literary flair ； The emperors of the Tang and Song dynasties were slightly less talented in this regard. Genghis Khan, the great hero of his time, knew only how to draw his bow and shoot eagles. All that is in the past; to judge the great men of history, we must look at today. Northern landscape, the vast distance hindered by ice; Wan Lixue flutters about. Glances both inside and outside the great wall – only what’s irregular is truly luxurious. Across the river, everything seems to be lost in chaos. Shan Wuyin, the serpent, originally spread wax-like images; it wishes to “try with” the god, to rise higher than… [Content not allowed to be posted]. One must observe the free date; the white garments of delicate feminine attire are particularly enchanting. Thus, the landscape is full of tenderness; countless bright arcs are formed within it. Regrettably??, some literary talent seems to be lacking. The emperors of poetry and song act somewhat coquettishly. A creation?? Genghis Khan – only knowledge can bend those great bowshoots of the giant vultures. All head in that direction; notable figures can be counted, but one should also consider the present. [This post was last edited by sky28205065 on February 25, 2009 at 08:39.]
The poster could consider creating a section for German literature, so that those who are interested can share their insights there!
Why is there so much “content that isn’t allowed to be posted”? ? :lol