I see my previous life in Yuanming
- Poetry of Su Shi

(Tao Yuanming, visited the Tilted Valley on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. He found a beautiful spot by a stream, enjoying the view of Mt. Zencheng among hills and pavilions. He wrote 'The Tilted Valley,' making it a popular tourist spot. In 1082, I lived a simple farm life at Dongpo (East Slope). My home, the Snow Hall, was near a creek flowing from the west to the north hill, then south toward hills and pavilions. This place reminds me of the Tilted Valley, inspiring me to compose this poem to the tune of Jiangchengzi.)

I see my previous life in Yuanming,

Oft in dreams and in tipsy thinking.

In vain we spent many a life span,

Rising with fame yet back to the land.

The East Slope, blessed with rain last night,

Wakes to a clear day with Spring magpies.

A hidden creek murmurs by Snow Hall,

Winding from the west towards Mt. North,

Then down to the south, to Mt. Zencheng

That stands proud with hills and pavilions.

It looks just like Yuanming’s Tilted Vale,

So here I came, and here I will stay.

陶渊明以正月五日游斜川，临流班坐，顾瞻南阜，爱曾城之独秀，乃作斜川诗，至今使人想见其处。元丰壬戌之春，余躬耕于东坡，筑雪堂居之，南挹四望亭之后丘，西控北山之微泉，慨然而叹，此亦斜川之游也。乃作长短句，以《江城子》歌之。

梦中了了醉中醒。只渊明，是前生。

走遍人间，依旧却躬耕。

昨夜东坡春雨足，乌鹊喜，报新晴。

雪堂西畔暗泉鸣。北山倾，小溪横。

南望亭丘，孤秀耸曾城。

都是斜川当日景，吾老矣，寄余龄。