Mo Mei? Wang Mian (Yuan)
There are trees near my home in Xiyan Lake,
All of them are in light ink.
Don't be boasted of good colors,
Just keep your breath full of dry Kun.
this poem uses the technique of borrowing things to describe people.
Translation:
Dark plum blossoms
In my painting, the plum trees on the edge of Xiyan Lake are all stained with light ink. It doesn't need others to praise the beautiful color, as long as it leaves a fragrance full of dry Kun.
notes on difficult points: ① ink plum: plum blossom in ink painting. ② Xiyan Lake: a pool for washing pens and inkstones after writing and drawing. Wang Xizhi has a legend that "learning books in the pool, the water in the pool is all black". This allusion is used here. The poet has the same surname as Wang Xizhi, a calligrapher in Jin Dynasty, so he said "my home".
[ Notes ]
1. Momei: Plum blossom in ink painting.
2. Xiyan Lake: a pool for washing pens and inkstones after writing and drawing. Wang Xizhi has a legend that "learning books in the pool, the water in the pool is all black". This allusion is used here.
3. Light ink: Ink colors are divided into several types in ink painting, such as light ink, strong ink and Jiao Mo. Here, it is said that the blossoming plum blossoms are dotted with faint ink.
4. Qingqi: a fragrant smell.
5. gan Kun: heaven and earth.
[ Analysis ]
This is an inscribed poem. Ink plum is the plum blossom of ink painting. The poet praised Mo Mei and Dont Ask For Help, and only wanted to leave a fragrance of virtue to the world. In fact, he used Mei as a metaphor to express his attitude towards life and noble sentiment of not flattering the secular.
The first two sentences, "The first tree in Xiyan Lake is my home, and the blossoming flowers are pale with ink marks", directly describe Mo Mei. In the painting, the plum trees beside the pond are in full bloom, and the plum blossoms are all stained with light ink. "Xiyan Lake" is the allusion of Wang Xizhi's "learning books in the pool, and the water in the pool is all black". The poet has the same surname as Wang Xizhi, a calligrapher in Jin Dynasty, so he said "my home".
Three or four sentences praise Mo Mei's virtuous and upright character. It is painted in light ink, although its appearance is not delicate, but it has the inner temperament of being beautiful, noble and dignified, secluded and detached; It doesn't want to attract people, please people and get people's praise with bright colors, but only wants to send out a fragrance and let it stay between heaven and earth. These two sentences are the poet's self-portrayal. Wang Mian grew up poor, herded cattle during the day, and studied hard at night under the ever-burning lamps of Buddhist temples. Finally, he learned a lot, and he was good at poetry and painting and versatile. However, he tried again and again, and he didn't want to curry favor with the powerful, so he decided to seek fame and fortune and retired to Jiuli Mountain in eastern Zhejiang, painting rice for a living. The phrase "Don't be praised for its good color, just keep your breath full of dry Kun" shows the poet's character of despising vulgarity, being independent and not seeking meritorious service.
This poem is entitled "Mo Mei", which is intended to express ambition. The poet organically integrates painting style, poetry style and personality. Literally praising plum blossom, in fact, appreciating one's virtue of standing.
[ Mo Mei] Plum blossoms painted in ink only. [Pool head] Pool edge. [yan pond] A pond for washing brushes and inkstones. [Light ink mark] A light black mark, referring to the color of a flower. [Qingqi] A fragrant smell. [qian kun)] refers to heaven and earth.
Poetic:
This painting shows a tree next to my home in Xiyan Lake, and each plum blossom is light black with no bright colors. I don't need others to praise its beautiful color, as long as it can leave a light fragrance between heaven and earth.