1 The red and purple colors have turned into dust, and the sound of cuckoo signals the new beginning of summer.
From "Early Summer Quatrains" by Lu You of the Song Dynasty
The reds and purples have turned into dust, and the sound of cuckoo is the new sign of summer.
After walking along endless roads, I realize that I am a man of peace.
1 Full text appreciation
Early summer makes me excited. I carried the giant tripod, fixed the finder on the balcony, and started my interstellar journey. In this city wall, there is no star brighter than the stars in the summer night sky. I searched for Venus in the sky, adjusted the focus, and was very busy.
It can’t be said that the sky is full of stars, but it is also dotted with stars. Sometimes the moon and stars are sparse, which reminds me of "the mountain light suddenly sets in the west, and the pond moon gradually rises in the east." The night in early summer is sultry, comfortable and refreshing. This is not like the situation in midsummer when "the remaining heat of the small pond recedes, and the tall trees return to the early coolness." In midsummer, the whole family, young and old, would take their mats and enjoy the coolness on the fragrant grass after the rain. It's quite interesting. Just as Du Fu said in "Summer Night Sigh": "The bitter nights in midsummer are short, so open the roof to enjoy the slight coolness." The most beautiful thing in early summer is the fireflies in the night sky, flickering. The stars seemed to be immersed in water, and the fireflies were soaring in the water-like sky. Someone caught a few and put them in a bottle, and they glowed beautifully. Fireflies represent summer, even in early summer.
Summer afternoons are sultry. Sitting on the bench beside the basketball court, my heart was already flying in the forest. In the dark green forest in early summer, a coolness spreads. The sunlight flows down from the branches harmoniously and quietly, spreading warmth on the shoulders. The blue sky is like Margaret's crystal ball. When you close your eyes, the early summer breeze blows over your ears and blows your hair messily on your face. The green leaves were whirling, and the early summer wind wrapped around the trunks of the towering ancient trees. I whispered with the wind and walked towards the more distant midsummer. What was in front of him was a figure running on the court. Early summer is always associated with the ocean. The initial impression is of standing on the coast, with a sense of vitality and enthusiasm, stretching out your hands to feel the sea breeze passing through your fingers. The background is a light color, and the figures of the people playing are blurred. The tears in my eyes were blurry for a moment, just like the flowers scattered by the goddess in the sky... This is the graceful sunshine coast in early summer.
I sat down against the banyan tree, listened to the melodious music, sipped a cup of light fragrant tea, and looked for my early summer quatrains. The wind blew suddenly, causing the flowers to drift. The bright petals, like crimson light clouds, flew like this in early summer.
1 Introduction to the author
Lu You (1125-1210), with the courtesy name Wu Guan and the nickname Fang Weng. Han nationality, native of Shanyin, Yuezhou (now Shaoxing, Zhejiang), and a famous poet in the Southern Song Dynasty. When he was young, he was influenced by his family's patriotism. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he took the examination of the Ministry of Rites and was deposed by Qin Hui. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozong, he was granted a Jinshi background. He entered Shu in middle age and devoted himself to military life. He was appointed to Baozhang Pavilion to be appointed. In his later years, he retired to his hometown. There are more than 9,000 poems in existence today, and they are extremely rich in content. He is the author of "Jiannan Poetry Manuscript", "Weinan Collected Works", "Southern Tang Book", "Laoxue'an Notes", etc.