Poetry ‘n’ Politics

Thanks to my friend Liz for sending this to me:

See below reflections on Wu Yi’s retiring, by your State Council Information Office (SCIO).  That’s a really awesome poem.  I am sort of in awe of the intersection of poetry and politics.

I feel light all over.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2008-03/08/content_12000268.htm

Her transcendent spirit and reclusive sentiment in face of retreat from power is just the same as her favorite poem: Ding Feng Bo (Calming down the turmoil) of Su Shi (1037-1101), which reads:

Listening to the sound of the wind and rain piercing through the forest,
Might as well whistle chant and have a slow walk.
Leaning on a bamboo cane and wearing straw sandals must be more convenient than riding a horse; I feel light all over.
Trials and hardships are nothing terrible!

I am wrapping myself in a rain cape made of straw or palm bark.
Let the misty rain down on me.
Nice and cool spring breeze blows, I awake feeling tipsy.
Feeling a bit cold.

But the fine setting sun solicitously greets me over the hilltop.
Turning my head to the bleak place where I passed just now,
I prefer to go away.
It is fine that there is neither hardship nor applause.