The poem "Looking back to the desolate place, when I return, there is neither wind, rain nor sunshine" comes from the poem "Ding Fengbo" by the poet Su Shi. The straightforward meaning expressed in the poem is: Look back at the place where you have encountered wind and rain, and go back. To me, it does not matter either wind or rain, nor does it matter whether it is sunny or sunny. The extended meaning behind it is: Since the rain and sunshine in nature are ordinary and no different, then what is the political situation, honor and disgrace reflected in social life?
Source
"Ding Fengbo" - Su Shi
Original text
On March 7, it rained on Shahu Road.
The rain gear went away first, and everyone in the group was in a panic. I didn’t realize it, but it was already sunny, so I wrote this word intentionally.
Don’t listen to the sound of beating leaves through the forest, why not scream and walk slowly.
The bamboo stick and mango shoes are easier than the horse, who is afraid? A coop of mist and rain will last a lifetime.
The steep spring breeze blows away the drunkenness, it is slightly cold, but the mountain tops are shining slantingly.
Looking back at the desolate place, when I return, there is neither wind, rain nor sunshine.
English translation
"Calming the Waves" by Su Shi
Listen not to the rain beating against the trees.
Why don 't you slowly walk and chant at ease?
Better than a saddle I like sandals and cane.
I'd fain.
In a straw cloak , spend my life in mist and rain.
Drunken, I am sobered by the vernal wind shrill
And rather chill.
In front, I see the slanting sun atop the hill;
Turning my head, I see the dreary beaten track.
Let me go back!
Impervious to rain or shine, I 'll have my own will.
Translation
On March 7, it caught up with the rain on Shahu Road. The servant holding the rain gear had left earlier, and everyone traveling with him I feel very embarrassed, but I am the only one who doesn’t feel that way. After a while, the sky cleared up, so I composed this poem.
Don't pay attention to the sound of rain beating leaves through the forest. You might as well walk leisurely while chanting and whistling. Bamboo sticks and straw sandals are more agile than riding horses, so what's so scary? Wearing a raincoat and letting the wind blow and rain, I still live my life.
The cool spring breeze wakes me up from the drunkenness. The chill is beginning to set in, but the setting sun on the top of the mountain welcomes me at the right time. Look back at the place where you encountered wind and rain, and go back. To me, it doesn’t matter whether it’s wind or rain, or whether it’s sunny.
Keyword Notes
"Ding Fengbo·Don't listen to the sound of beating leaves through the forest" Su Shi: the name of the word brand.
Shahu: Thirty miles southeast of Huanggang, Hubei Province, it is also known as the screw shop.
Embarrassment: A state of embarrassment in which it is difficult to advance or retreat.
That’s it: after a while.
The sound of beating leaves through the forest: refers to the sound of heavy raindrops hitting the leaves through the forest.
Yin Xiao: chant loudly.
Mango shoes: straw sandals.
You can live your whole life in the mist and rain: wearing a raincoat and spending your whole life in the wind and rain, you can be calm. 一蓑 (suō): coir raincoat, a poncho made of brown.
Quiet: slightly cold.
Oblique light: westward sunlight.
Always: just now. Desolation: The sound of wind and rain blowing leaves.
Neither wind, rain nor sunshine: It means neither afraid of rain nor happy with sunshine.
Creative background
This lyrical poem was written in the spring of 1082 AD (the fifth year of Yuanfeng, Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty). At that time, Su Shi was demoted to the throne because of the "Wutai Poetry Case" The third spring of deputy envoy training in Huangzhou (now Huanggang, Hubei Province). The poet and his friend were out on a spring trip, and a storm suddenly came. The friend felt deeply embarrassed, but the poet didn't care. He took it calmly, chanted calmly, and walked slowly.
Appreciation of Works
This poem is a poem about returning home drunk and encountering the rain. The poet uses his leisurely and unrestrained behavior in the rain to express his stubborn character and broad-minded mind that he is not afraid of being discouraged despite repeated setbacks in adversity. The whole poem is evocative of the scene and the language is humorous.
The first sentence "Don't listen to the sound of beating leaves through the forest", on the one hand, exaggerates the violent rain and wind, and on the other hand, the word "Don't listen" points out that external objects are not enough to linger. "Why not scream and walk slowly" is an extension of the previous sentence. Walking leisurely in the rain as usual, echoes the short preface "Everyone is in a panic, but I alone don't realize it", which also leads to the following "Who is afraid", that is, not afraid. Walking slowly and whistling, it is written twice; the word "why not" reveals a bit of playfulness, adding to the challenge. The first two sentences are the hinge of the whole article, from which the following sentiments are derived.
"The bamboo cane and mango shoes are lighter than the horse." The writer of the poem, the bamboo cane and mango shoe, braves the wind and rain, and moves forward calmly. With his self-feeling of "lighter than the horse", he conveys a feeling of fighting against the wind and rain, Smiling and proud of the ease, joy and heroic feeling of life. This sentence goes a step further, extending from the storm in front of him to the whole life, which effectively strengthens the author's detached feelings of going his own way and not fearing the ups and downs in the face of the ups and downs of life.
The above sentences show a broad-minded and unrestrained mind, full of openness and boldness, and embody a unique perception of life. Reading them makes people feel refreshed and open-minded.
In the film, we come across the three sentences "The mountain tops are shining slantingly but they are welcoming each other", which describes the scene of sunny days after rain. These sentences not only correspond to the wind and rain written in the previous film, but also pave the way for the life emotions expressed in the following part.
The final line "Looking back to the desolate place where I came from, there was no wind or rain or sunshine when I returned." This finishing touch, full of philosophy of life, expresses what the poet gained in the subtle moment of nature. Enlightenment and enlightenment: Since the rain and sunshine in nature are ordinary and no different, what are the political storms, honors and disgrace in social life? The word "desolate" in the sentence means the sound of wind and rain, which corresponds to the "sound of beating leaves through the forest" in the previous film. The word "wind and rain" is a pun, which not only refers to the wind and rain encountered on the way to the wilderness, but also alludes to the political "wind and rain" that almost killed him and the dangerous journey of life.
This poem was written in the third spring after Su Shi was demoted to Huangzhou. After reading the whole poem, we will have a new understanding of the ups and downs of life and the joy and sorrow of emotions. Through the small things in life, such as encountering wind and rain on the way in the wild, it reveals profound meaning in simplicity and creates strange alarms in ordinary places. It shows a broad-minded and transcendent mind and embodies the ideal of otherworldly life.
About the author
Su Shi (1037-1101) was a writer, calligrapher, painter and gourmet in the Northern Song Dynasty. His courtesy name is Zizhan and his nickname is Dongpo Jushi. Han nationality, Sichuan native, buried in Yingchang (now Jiaxian County, Pingdingshan City, Henan Province). He had a bumpy official career throughout his life, but he was knowledgeable and talented. He was excellent in poetry, calligraphy and painting. His writing is unbridled, clear and fluent. Together with Ouyang Xiu, he is called Ou Su, and he is one of the "Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties". His poetry is fresh and vigorous, good at using exaggeration and metaphor, and his artistic expression is unique. He is also called Su Huang together with Huang Tingjian. He started a bold and unrestrained school and had a huge influence on later generations. Together with Xin Qiji, he was called Su Xin. He was good at calligraphy in running script and regular script. He could create his own ideas. His pen was rich and ups and downs, and he had an innocent taste. He was called Song Dynasty together with Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu and Cai Xiang. The four schools have the same painting studies and literature, advocate spiritual similarity in painting, and advocate "scholar painting". He is the author of "The Complete Works of Su Dongpo" and "Su Dongpo Yuefu".