In sleep, the perished things the heart obeys
Return; in wine, a pageant of false days
Confounds the sight — rich, glittering, and untrue.
O, I am sick of this too‑tender mood,
This fever of the soul, this lyrical blood!
To be of marble, and to feel no ache,
How blessèd were such frost, for pity’s sake!
梦中往事随心见，醉里繁华乱眼生。
长为风流恼人病，不如天性总无情。
This poem was written during Huang Tingjian's period of political exile, most likely after the Shaosheng reign period (1094-1098). His official life was fraught with difficulty. His work on the Veritable Records of Emperor Shenzong led to accusations of "defaming the late emperor," resulting in his demotion and exile to Qianzhou, followed by a further relocation to Rongzhou. During the long years in exile, the poet fully tasted the bitterness of the world, gaining a deeper understanding of life and human affairs.
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
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