世事一場大夢，人生幾度秋涼。
夜來風葉已鳴廊，看取眉頭鬢上。
酒賤常愁客少，月明多被雲妨。
中秋誰與共孤光，把盞淒然北望。
——— 【西江月·黃州中秋】 宋·蘇東坡
World affairs, howe’er glamorous, are but a big dream still!
In our short, transient life just how many Autumns chill?
Night falls, rustling winds through leaves echo in the corridor;
Come into view in mirror: Eyebrows and temple-hair hoar.
With cheap wine, I oft worry my guests will be less and less;
By dark clouds, Alas, the pure bright Moon is often suppress’d!
Mid-Autumn night: Who will come to me in light loneliness?
I raise my wine-cup, gaze toward the north, and drink in sadness.
——– XI JIANG YUE: “Moon Over West River”, by SU SHI (1036-1011)
(Translated by Frank C Yue)