Reminiscing the Poetic Spring at Purdue University in a Dream

As I prepare to embark on my journey to Purdue University this month, my mind wanders back to the captivating scenes of its spring that I once glimpsed in photographs. Those poetic landscapes have left an indelible mark on my memory, and the verses accompanying them linger in my thoughts. Reciting those poems becomes a soothing balm to calm my slightly agitated soul before my departure.

I seem to conjure images of a picturesque campus adorned with golden and black, ready to welcome me during Boiler Gold Rush (BGR).

"I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze." (William Wordsworth)

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I seem to smell the refreshing air at Purdue.

"Good rain knows its time right;

It will fall when comes spring.

With wind, it steals in the night;

Mute, it moistens everything."

(Du Fu, Tang Dynasty, Tr. Xu Yuanchong)

I love the colorful flowers in front of the Honors College.

A Spring Day

" I seek for spring by riverside on a fine day,

O what refreshing sight does the boundless view bring?

I find the face of vernal wind in easy way:

Myriads of reds and violets reveal only spring."

(Zhu Xi, Song Dynasty. Tr. Xu Yuanchong)

Next spring, I'll be here to meet you. Please wait for me.

Written in a Village South of the Capital

"In this house on this day last year, a pink face vied

In beauty with the pink peach blossoms side by side.

I do not know today where the pink face has gone;

In the vernal breeze still smile pink peach blossoms full-blown."

(Cui Hu, Tang Dynasty. Translated by Xu Yuanchong)

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I will be with the simple pleasures of life, shared with friends. I look forward to simple visits.

FOR A GUEST

" North and south of my cottage winds spring water green;

I see but flocks of gulls coming from day to day.

The footpath strewn with fallen blooms is not swept clean;

My wicket gate is opened but for you today.

Far from market, I can afford but simple dish;

Being not rich, I've only old wine for our cup.

To drink together with my neighbor if you wish,

I'll call him o'er the fence to finish the wine up. "

(Du Fu, Tang Dynasty, translated by Xu Yuanchong)

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I know that West Lafayette is not as noisy as New York, and I appreciate the simplicity here to form friendships.?

Visiting an Old Friend's Cottage

" My friend's prepared chicken and rice;

I'm invited to his cottage hall.

Green trees surround the village nice;

Blue hills slant beyond city wall.

Windows open to field and ground;

Over wine we talk of crops of grain.

On Double Ninth Day I'll come round

For the sunflowers again."

(Meng Haoran, Tang Dynasty, Tr. Xu Yunchong.)

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I will go hiking; it reminds me of the resilience of nature and the spirit of growth and renewal that thrives at Purdue University.

In Response to Yue Fei at the Banquet in Yangzhou.

“A thousand sails pass by the side of sunken ship;

Ten thousand flowers bloom ahead of injured tree.”

(Liu Yuxi, Tang Dynasty. Tr. Xu Yuanchong)

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I'll go to Celery Bog and visit its beauty.

Rain in the West Lake

“The brimming waves delight the eyes on sunny days，

the dimming hills present rare views in rainy haze.

West Lake may be compared to Beauty of the West.

Whether she is richly adorned or plainly dressed.”

(Su Shi, Tr. Xu Yuanchong)

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I will find myself and inspiration on the quiet campus of Purdue University.

Drinking Wine

“In people's haunt I built my cot;

Of wheel's and hoof's noise I hear not.

How can it leave on me no trace?

Secluded heart makes secluded place.

I pick fenceside asters at will;

Carefree I see the southern hill.

The mountain air's fresh day and night;

Together birds go home in flight.

What revelation at this view?

Words fail me if I try to tell you.”

(by Tao Yuanming A.D. 365–427, Tr. Xu Yuanchong）

In my reveries, I envision the poetic life that awaits me at Purdue, a realm of inspiration and wonder.

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References

Cui, H. (772 - 846). Written in a Village South of the Capital. (X. Yuanchong, Trans.). Retrieved from https://yingyu.xdf.cn/201803/10760907.html

Du, F. (712-770). Happy Rain on a Spring Night. (X. Yuanchong, Trans.). Retrieved from https://www.sohu.com/a/452518824_224814

Du, F. (712-770). FOR A GUEST. (X. Yuanchong, Trans.). Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202204/1258736.shtml

Liu, Y. X. (Tang Dynasty). In Response to Yue Fei at the Banquet in Yangzhou. (X. Yuanchong, Trans.). Retrieved from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzI1NTUyNTc5Nw==&mid=2247487256&idx=1&sn=1fd90578caca7041fd04e22196805309&chksm=ea35d9d2dd4250c4c2682dabbd404a073520822cf875831e658a8a715c942f58931c6077a3ad&scene=27

Meng Haoran. Visiting an Old Friend's Cottage. (X. Yuanchong, Trans.). Retrieved from https://www.sohu.com/a/704703300_121124030

Su Shi. (Song Dynasty). Rain in the West Lake. (X. Yuanchong, Trans.). Retrieved from https://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_1534238f70102x9l1.html

Tao Yuanming (A.D. 365–427). Drinking Wine. (X. Yuanchong, Trans.). Retrieved from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA3ODc1MTcyMA==&mid=2655995817&idx=1&sn=54aefde4c064e3b50fbd18e8402120c5&chksm=8406152eb3719c386d45701a316be510041b9aafb6057d3f4c16079a374bd7870a00e8be287f&scene=27

Wordsworth, W. (1804). I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud. Poetry Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45521/i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud

Zhu, X. (Song Dynasty). A Spring Day. (X. Yuanchong, Trans.). Retrieved from https://www.en84.com/dianji/shi/201001/00001150.html

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