Selection of Ancient Taiwanese Poetry

Author: Chen Yiting
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: A friend from Dongning gifted me dozens of red lychees, writing, "Where can one find exotic fruits overseas? Now they are no longer seen, years have passed. Their color and fragrance seem to fall from the clouds, their buds and leaves appear as if they have moved from the old homeland. My dear friend sent a letter, reluctant to give a few, but an old man opened the box, delighted by the rare opportunity. We shared the sweet aftertaste, amazed by the new season, and far away, I recalled the red apricot blossoms of the Shanglin Garden in spring."
Annotations:
1. Dongning refers to the old name of Taiwan. "Yi" means to give. "Danhli" are lychees, named for their vibrant red color.
2. "Wanran" means vividly. "Old homeland" refers to one's hometown. In Zhuangzi's Zeyang, it is said, "Looking at the old homeland and old capital, one feels joyful." Cheng Xuying explained, "Those who lost their homeland in childhood and wandered elsewhere, upon returning to their hometown, feel great happiness."
3. "Jian" (pronounced "jian") means to seal or tie up an object.
4. "Qie" (pronounced "qie") refers to a small box.
5. "Yugan" means the lingering sweet taste. "Dan" means to eat. "Xinhou" refers to the new season.
6. Shanglin refers to the Shanglin Garden. During the Qin Dynasty, imperial palaces were built in the garden, with the famous Apang Palace in its front hall. In the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu turned it into an official garden, spanning over 200 miles, where birds and animals were raised for hunting. "Red apricot blossoms of Shanglin" refers to spring, inspired by Song Qi's line in the poem Yulou Chun ("The red apricot blossoms on the branches stir the spring air.")
Appreciation: The author's poems in Taiwan often express loyalty to the Ming Dynasty. Among the fourteen poems recorded in Quan Tai Shi, only this one describes the scenery of Taiwan. Upon receiving lychees from a friend, the author is amazed by their color and fragrance, delighted by their taste, yet his thoughts still linger on his beloved hometown.
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