Wang Anshi – 1052 Tomb Sweeping Season Poem

Today’s podcast is Rob-less, and it looks at the 1052 poem by Wang Anshi, China’s controversial economic thinker. This poem (probably) has little to do with Wang’s economic policies, but is rather all about his love for his father and elder brothers and his meditation on his own mortality. 

My translation:

The traveler’s thoughts are like poplars and willows,

the spring wind blows through a billion branches. 

Especially as Tomb-Sweeping Day approaches, 

the tears overflow like the tides of Ye-ville. 

I brush the snow off my turban and hair, 

In the mirror, my face is red and starting to wither

I still do not know what makes the fancy officials happy, 

I only want to grow old as a recluse.  

壬辰1寒食2

客思似杨柳，春风千万条。

更倾寒食泪，欲涨冶城3潮。

巾4发雪争出，镜颜5朱早凋6。

未知轩冕7乐，但欲老8渔樵9