On Qing Ming, Banquet With Mei in His Daoist-Scholar Room
清 明 日 宴 梅 道 士 房
林 卧 愁 春 尽
褰 帷 览 物 華。
忽 逢 青 鸟 使
邀 入 赤 松 家。
丹 灶 初 开 火
仙 桃 正 发 花。
童 颜 若 可 驻
何 惜 醉 流 霞。
Qing Ming Ri Yan Mei Dao Shi Fang
Lin wo chou chun jin
Qian wei lan wu hua.
Hu feng qing niao shi
Yao ru chi song jia.
Dan gui chu kai huo
Xian tao zheng fa hua.
Tong yan ruo ke zhu
He xi zui liu xia.
On Qing Ming, Banquet With Mei in His Daoist-Scholar Room
Springtime lying down in the forest, exhausted and melancholy
Lift up the curtain, the view outside still beautiful.
Suddenly encounter green bird envoys
I am invited over to Chi Song’s house.
The red cooking stove fire has been started
His heavenly peach orchard just beginning to produce their blossoms.
Our childlike faces as if youth can stay
Do not regret getting drunk on your special water and evening glow wine.
Notes:
Qing Ming: Literally means “Pure Brightness”. Better known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, it occurs around April fourth or fifth. For many it marks the beginning of spring and is a day to honor one’s ancestors.
