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Category Archives: Prose / 散文


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Friend (19) – The Four Gentlemen

plum flower (kind unknown)

plum flower (kind unknown) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Plum Flower

My Friend, there is a nation who feels proud of you.  Your unyielding nature makes you look even emaciated.  But lanky is not your name.  You are not afraid of the cold winter, but you are the first to bloom in spring.  The first gentlemen standing on the land dancing fearlessly with spring and a smiling gentleman, I called.

Chrysanthemum

My Friend, you do not mind lying next to the grave, and you do not mind associating with strangers soaking up in holy bath.  But you mind only if fall brings you the beauty of grief or sorrows.  With your haughty attitude in autumn, I do not ask for much.  As maple leaves died out all over the floor just for your tender face.

Orchids, Bamboo and Rock, before 1740, by Zhen...

Orchids, Bamboo and Rock, before 1740, by Zheng Xie (1693—1765). Hanging scroll, ink on paper. The Palace Museum, Beijing. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bamboo

My Friend, your elegant, free and easy attitude whirling in the wind, bring a pause to my reminiscent for others.  But you are so modest, you do not forbid birds and landscape rivals with you on a manuscript and you give way to a painter’s inspiration.

A shot of an (Cymbidium - cultivar) orchid

A shot of an (Cymbidium – cultivar) orchid (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 Orchid

My Friend, you are infamous.  You uphold the title of a National Flower and people sing so well of your elegant glory.  What else do you lack of?  Your distinctiveness, wholesome and noble sentiments put you high up to the zenith.  Infact, with your independent personality, praises are to you only a title, but a pursuit in the eyes of others.

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Friend (18) – Nature

English: Nice elderly couple with ear muffs De...

English: Nice elderly couple with ear muffs Deutsch: Nettes aelteres Paar mit Ohrenschuetzern (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

An elderly couple emerged from the early morning mist.  Age in their 80s, sported in their usual casual wear, look washed out with the waves on their face.  Unlike their silvery white sideburns, their energy never slide.  The old man held a clutch in one hand, sustained by the old lady’s feeble arm on the other.  Both look so happy like the desirable cobalt blue sky.

This is my other Friend “Nature”.  He bestowed comfortable, warm and simple affection.  Though they are just a pair of strangers in my life journey, but their presence and silhouettes never ceased to be strangers in my mind.

Few years down the road, the sight is still in my mind so sharp and clear.  No exaggerated manners needed for set off, no gorgeous embellishment required to look good.

The elderly couple emitted fragrance so natural and rustic.  No pretentious smile, just healthy, serene and noble sentiments circulated with elegant simplicity!

With the presence overtaken by events, perhaps both are together in heaven, or perhaps they are still strolling in the early mornings.  But the message my “Friend” had left behind, makes me realized the wisdom of another life, sparkling with crystal clear insight.


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Friend (17) – Dream

Mantis

Mantis (Photo credit: Chausinha)

The afternoon sun brim over the church hall, through the space between the iron railed window grilles.  Looking out from the window covered with climbing morning glories, on the old brick wall parked a small mantis.

This mantis is so small and frail, he leaped while the wind blows, picking himself up over and over again against the wind.  This garden with a pond is surrounded with fragrant flowers enriched with fertile soil, conclusively with this little mantis who was injured through his fall but never succumb to his collapse.

Friends, your name is “DREAM”

Praying mantis

Praying mantis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With you, saplings thrive and sprout year after year.

With you, failure is no longer an easy compromise.

With you, the wings of a dream turn stronger.

With you, countenance of the youth loses its silhouette of frustration.  The forlorn feels warm in blizzard nights.


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Friend（16）- Autumn Rain

This few months, the haze from Indonesia has smog Lion City all over again.  Our smoky heart yearns to see the bright sun and flashing star yet and again.

On that day, through my window west direction, my friend finally arrived.

He came from distant lands, dragging along in his left hand layers of thick dark clouds coming from the mountain.  Trudging in his right hand a large rainy blow.  Standing behind the window, awaken from my sweet drowse, surrounded with the sniff of the immense rain.

With this timely arrival of breeze, I know the rainy season is not far away as it adds ease and bliss to my heart and a little gay.

Friend, your name is “Autumn Rain”.

Rainy Day.

Rainy Day. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Faraway overlooking from my balcony, I evidence your arrival. As the Chinese poem said, “ Rain comes from the wind”. Friend, swinging your sleeves left and right, disperses the dense smoke in our city and dispels mist in our spirits.

Rainfall forms A beautiful Autumn.

Your are not just my Friend, you are indeed a friend to this piece of Land.

My friend, with you the land formats the four seasons, farmers gain their autumn harvest.

My friend, thank you for your attention, and thank you for selflessly nourishing this barren land.


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Friend (15) – Silent night


Moment in the dead of night, my friend quietly visited me.  He brings with him the crystal cold dew with a basketful of blinking stars light.

His name is called “Silent Night”.  It’s tough for one to extricate from his beautiful flow.  Each time at this moment, ignite aroma incense to allow my thoughts to curl in and be shrouded with the smoke between.  With this carefree feeling I put aside the physical and mental troubles.

Silent Night, you soothe all worried faces.  You allow people to put down contradictions and conflicts, put down right and wrong and to lay down social status and class.

Your voice resonates the sounds of nature. It’s a space of emptiness, a palace of the soul for a listening ear.

This is where beauty and ugliness befall.  Right and wrong remain speechless.  Passion and indifference lost its temperature.

Silence is warmly alive at this moment.

Derision and ridicule, power and struggle, settle like dust with no flush.


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Friend (14) –Car Park Entrance Gate (Barriers) / 朋友（14）- 闸门


这个闸门在外人看来象个傻瓜似的,车来举臂，车走放下。工作毫无意义，毫无乐趣，在虚度人生。

In the eyes of others, this barrier looks like a fool, it jiggles its arm up and down whenever a vehicle comes up or goes down.  Its job is no fun at all and to some is wasting life after-all.

这小人物坚守一份小工作, 任劳任怨, 做起事来不闻不问,不问付出,不求收获，一整天只会抬头点头，举臂放下。它的唯一工作就是听从指示，不可以有意见，不可以有投诉。

Still, this little guy stick to his insignifficant work.  He is hard working, never ask for much, never ask for returns and is able to get things done in a different.  Day in day out, he jiggles his head and waggle his arms.  His only job is to follow directions. He doesn’t own his opinions or have his own grievances.

试问，除了它有谁做得到？

How can anyone do this, other than him?

答案是有的；就是那些没有感情的机器。举凡桌上的电脑，厨房的冰箱，24小时开放的手机还有那令人舒服的空调等等。它们就是那一群任劳任怨的傻瓜。

Certainly there is!  These are machines without feelings.  Whether it is a computer on the table, the kitchen refrigerator, our 24/7 mobile phone, the comfort providing air-conditioner and so on.  Again, these are groups of hard working fools.

但有谁会跟这些傻瓜说声谢谢？那他岂不是也变成傻瓜？

However, who will thank these fools?  Perhaps only fools will appreciate what these fools had done?

我们真的不需要跟它们说谢谢，唯一可做的是心里多一分感激，两分珍惜，三分欢喜，这样就行了。

Indeed we need not thank them for what they done, the things we can do is to show a little gratefulness, a little cherishing and a little delighting.

这样一来，当它们罢工时，你就会多一分包容，少一分埋怨，青春永驻。

By demonstrating, you feel more accommodating, less awful and that’s helpful way to stay youthful.


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Friend (13) – wall flower / 朋友（13）- 墙角花


几朵粉红色墙角花，外型潇洒，清新脱俗,却无人注意。路人匆忙的脚步与车辆排出的废气，它显得无动于衷。

Several pink flowers emerging from the wall, chic shapes, elegant and refine but no one catches a glimpse of them.  Then it was unperturbed with the busy footsteps that passed by her and the exhaust emitted by passing cars.

它没有朋友的围绕，没有赏花人伫立的惊叹。粉红花在那儿孤芳自赏，乐得其中。

She has no friends around, without eager admirers praising her marvel.  She was there all by her own and pleased with her own admiration.

它开心就笑，伤心就哭，没有拘束，没有条例，没有EQ指数更没有IQ过高。

She laugh when happy, cry when sad, with no obligatory, no ruling, not barred by EQ index or high IQ.

它告诉我只要开心就好，它不招摇过市，不爱打扮，只爱素颜见人。写自己的歌，哼自己的曲，怡然自得。

And yet she whispers lightly to me that happiness is not through the streets, not through dressing up but through unhidden Me.  Happiness is to sing your own songs, write your own lyrics and live with bliss.

几朵粉红色墙角花，毫无身价却那么开心，那我们呢？

Little pink flowers along the wall come with no price tags and yet so cheery, but why? Why did you exclude me?


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Friend (12) – 3P Porridge / 朋友（12）- 3P 粥


能够暂时离开繁嚣,找个安静的角落,来一碗清淡小粥,享受恬静淡雅的一刻，人生何求！
Able to leave the hustle and bustle aside, find a quiet corner, have a bowl of light porridge and enjoy the quiet and elegant moment, what else do we ask for in life.
这是一碗3P小粥；平安，平淡，平凡的粥。
This bowl of 3P porridge; peaceful, plain and pleasant.
一碗毫不起眼的粥，没有名气的架式，没有奢华的点缀，没有高档的环境，没有美食家的评语。一副苍白虚弱的样子，默默摆在我面前，就为了填饱我们的肚子。
A bowl of humble porridge, not known in the rack, there is no luxury embellishment, upscale environment, no gourmet reviews.  With a look pale and weak, quietly placed in front of me, just to fill up my stomach.
尽管它没什么分量，但他还是紧守岗位，作为一位“护胃者”。
Although it has no load, but he still stick to his position as a tummy guardian.
这种3P无声无息摆在眼前，用天平称不到，长在额头的眼睛看不到，更别说走进时尚的高档品味。
This 3P sits quietly before us, can’t weigh it with a set of scale, catch no sight with our eyes, let alone into the upper crust.
所谓各花入各眼，这3P是一种福气，有异于一般。
As Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder, this 3P is a blessing, as it is different from the others.


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Friend (11) – Monkey / 朋友（11）- 猴子


在驶往贝雅士蓄水池的小路上,发现一头猴子蹲在路旁,外表逗趣可爱长相令人发笑。灰色的毛发与傻呼呼的样子，在看守来往的车子。

In Pierce Reservoir along Old Upper Thomson Road, saw a monkey kneeing along the roadside. His cute appearance looks ridiculous and his gray hair and insensibly manifestation guards at every car that passes by.

车子慢慢移近，它站起了身体，对车子有所期待。我没把车窗调下，以防它来个七十二变。它等了一会儿见车里头没动静，又坐回原位。我拿起相机拍它的样子，但它却不理不睬，还故意把脸转向另一边。它似乎提醒我，要拍就要有酬劳。

He stood up to the body, whenever a vehicle move closer to him as if there is something to look forward from the car.  I decline to unwind the car windows, just in case he stuns his“Seventy Two Transformation”.  While he waited for awhile and see no movement in the car, he sank back in situ.  As I direct my camera towards his direction, he ignore my interest on him and turn his face away from me.  He seems to be reminding me for a reward if I demand a snapshot from him.

有关部门提醒公众不要餵食野生动物，这不是没有理由。

Reminders have been put up constantly by relevant authorities to the public not to feed wild animals without invalid reasons.

自然界里的一草一木，自有它求存的一套本领。每一各体总有他的强项与天分。这套本领舍弃了而去依赖外界的施舍，到头来只剩下外界的怜憫眼光与那副博人同情的可怜相。

Flora and Fauna in their natural habitat has its own sets of survival skills.  Each bodied its own strength and flair.  Once the skills are discarded, it relies on external aid to subsist.  End of the day, what is remained and reminded is the pathetic vision asking for mercy from our human eyes.

幸亏猴子还算可爱，再来几只也无伤大雅。

Fortunately, monkeys are delightfully adorable, a few more to come is harmless and undisruptive at least to our very own nature that is loosing out in no time soon.

**There is a belief that the Monkey God has capabilities to do Seventy Two stuns with different transformation.


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Friend (10) – Epiphyllum / 朋友（10）- 昙花


摸黑起早，就为了一沾昙花的笑容。但来时一晚，无缘在大家高兴的时候碰面，心里不免有点失望。但想想，花儿如果知道你因为看不到它美丽的一面而失望，它不是比你更失望。

Getting up in the dark just to steal a glance of the smile of the Epiphyllum.  Then again, was not on time for this happy moment for her glory.  Though a little disappointed, but after some thoughts, if the Queen of the Night were to know of my regrets was due to her premature appearance before dawn, guess she may feel more remorseful than me.

想到这点，急忙拿起相机拍下它矫柔隐退的那一刻，为自己写下与花共舞的一章。

The thought of this makes me capture the soft retreat of this unusual moment while I penned down my own chapter of Dances with the Flowers.

世人赞叹昙花一现的珍贵，因为它开花那一刻是如此的短暂。

While all admire the rarely night blooms of its kind, for the reason it wilthers mysteriously shortly before dawn.

相比之下，在它凋谢的时候，却无人瞻仰。原因是花已老去，好景已逝。试问，有几个人会赞美老去的花朵呢？

In contrast, when it withers, there was no one to pay her their last respects, as she shrivels, good time is already a past.  How often do we praise an aged blossom?

没有一朵花永远被人赞美。

Then, no bloom forever earned our praises.

镌古永恒，是我今早追寻昙花的那一刻，我将不会忘记那种追花的感觉。花虽已凋谢，但那股追花的信念，正在心里慢慢地化开。

The moment I pursue this Queen of the Night is going to be eternal, I will never fail to remember the trail.  Though she had faded, but the sentiment of the pursuit has just began.

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