WRITTEN ON A PICTURE OF BAMBOO

Zheng Xie  

(1693-1765, Qing Dynasty)

I listen in my office to rustling bamboo;

It seems to complain of its woe as people do.

Petty official, I should try to play my part;

To ease shivering leaf as sorrow-laden heart.

潍县署中画竹

[清]郑燮

衙斋卧听萧萧竹,疑是民间疾苦声。

些小吾曹州县吏,一枝一叶总关情。

About the poet 

Zheng Xie, also known by his other name Zheng Banqiao, who was not only a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)poet, but also a talented painter and calligrapher. He was particularly famous for his paintings on objects such as stone and bamboo.

About the translator 

Xu Yuanchong was born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province. He was a professor of literary translation at Peking University.

About the book 

Golden Treasury of Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Poetry/ 

Translated by Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) & Xu Ming 

Published by China Intercontinental Press