Chapter 102

183 pieces, by the sea, that very lewd person...

183 pieces, by the sea, that very lewd person...

--Liu Guozong Spring Diary Twenty-one

It is early spring, the sunshine is very gentle. Am I that tree by the river that cannot bloom? Applying many cosmetics to my face, making myself look more lewd, is that very youthful?

Without realizing it, I have lived to be old enough. Spring has come, I have resolved to change those bad habits. The wind is gentle, very tender, also very stirring.

Under the south-facing window, plum blossoms open one after another, continuously blooming. Some have rosy faces, some are already withered. Those who have just fallen in love with the spring breeze are rosy; those who are withered are all harmed by time.

Along the seaside road, I met spring on the beach.

I am astonished by the sea's turbulence, and I sigh at the sail's perseverance. Facing those seaside shrubs that love being short, I said to spring: 'Reproduce, beauty; shape, soul.'

Does being short mean being base? Then let baseness revive the hope in my heart. Leaning against the base shrubs, I feel glorious and dear, for I am with baseness, for I am short.

Before me is the vast sea, and on the sea there is no road to walk. Gazing at the vast sea, I see no ancients ahead, no successors behind; thinking of the sea's endlessness, I feel no sorrow, no tears fall. Because like the waves on the sea――

Come like wind,

Go like wind,

Sleeping behind,

Sleeping ahead,

We are merely in the midst of sleep

A fleeting wisp of wind and smoke.

We sing joyfully, we soar.

We soar, we sing joyfully.

All of one, always in joyful song,

One of all, always soaring.

Are you singing joyfully? Am I singing joyfully?

Is she singing joyfully? Is joyful song singing joyfully?

Only joyful song!

Joyful song........

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