Afterthought on Yang Shen’s poem titled “Lin Jiang Xian”
by Francis Loo ( 作者：盧國禮 )
Lin Jiang Xian
by Yang Shen in Ming Dynasty
The Yangtze River rushing towards the East as though many past heroes were washed away by the wavy currents.
Right or wrong; success or failure is only momentary.
And the mountains still remain as green; and the twilight crimson.
The grey-hairs (the woodcutters and the fishermen) in the work environments are used to watching the beautiful autumn moon and enjoying the spring breeze.
Now, we cheerfully meet and carouse with bottles of wind they’ve brought.
There are so many things in the past and the present to talk about—all are matters in our ironic laughter. (Yang Shen)
The poet imbued with the reality of life is moved. He laments the bitterness and brevity of life. What is the difference between success and failure?
Mountains and rives remain; the sun rises and sets, the man (poet) is gradually aging. Alas! The gray hair has experienced through the storm of life has no exit to escape. The poet carouses and gets intoxicated in alcohol. Through the ages till nowadays, the poets and scholars, heroes, and many would try to escape in the same way. This is not endurable.
Thanks to God! We behold, everything is meaningless (Ecclesiastics 12:8b)… The dust returns to the ground it came from and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastics 12:7).
The Teacher says, remember Your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach… Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man, for God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastics 12:1; 13-14).
Christians have God’s eternal love and hope. There is no need to get drunk to bid good riddance to sadness. Otherwise, sad will become sadder. If we know the purpose and meaning of life and imbibe in it, we shall live in the eternity of love like an eagle being rejuvenated.
May the fear of the Lord our God, establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17b). In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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