Qing Yu An: the first verse
At night the east wind blew open a thousand flowering tree (Xin Qiji)
A work with 7 photographs
17x22 inch, Archival pigment print, in edition of 5
《 青玉案 （元夕）》辛棄疾（Xin Qiji 1140—1207)
東風夜放花千樹
更吹落
星如雨
寶馬雕車香滿路
鳳簫聲動
玉壺光轉
一夜魚龍舞
蛾兒雪柳黃金縷
笑語盈盈暗香去
眾裏尋他千百度
驀然回首
那人卻在
燈火闌珊處
Translation 1 (Tr. by Gong Jinghao)
Qing Yu An
At night the east wind blew open a thousand flowering tree.
It blew down stars,
Falling like rain.
Sleek horses and carved coaches lined the road.
Sounds of the melodious vertical flute wafted in the air.
The bright orb shed its light, revolving.
A night of fish and dragons dancing.
Wearing exquisite ornaments and gold-laced willow twigs,
The ladies' giggles and whispers,
Left a trail of dark fragrance.
Looking for that lady in the crowds a thousand times—
Turning suddenly,
I saw her standing where the light were low.
Translation 2 (Tr. by Xu Yuanchong)
Green Jade Cup (Lantern Festival)
One night's east wind adorns a thousand trees with flowers
And blows down stars in showers.
Fine steeds and carved cabs spread fragrance en route;
Music vibrates from the flute;
The moon sheds its full light,
While fish and dragon lanterns dance all night.
In gold-thread dress, with moth or willow ornaments,
Giggling, they melt into the throng with trails of scents.
But in the crowd once and again
I look for her in vain.
When all at once I turn my head,
I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed.
