When departing, last spring had wind and rain as it's escort. On returning, the new spring is welcomed by snowflakes flying in cold.
Clad with layers of ice, the cliffs rise sheer and high, Where amazingly a plum blossom is so bright.
Bright though the blossom is, she claims not to be spring's queen. She is always contented to be the harbinger of spring.
Till the moutains are covered with flowers sweet and fair, She is cheering with them in the early year's fresh air.
2. Tianxin
On Plum Blossom
Windy rain had sent spring away Flying snow has welcomed spring back Leagues of ice freeze high cliffs Yet pretty are yon blossoming branches
Though fair but not to rival spring Seasonal harbinger is plum blossom For when the hundred flowers flame the hills She smiles amongst the crowd
3. Tao Ran
Ode to the plum flower
Wind and rain take Spring back home, flying snow welcomes Spring's come. Cliffs, already hundred foot of hanging ice, yonder, a flower springs out so fair.
Fair yet not vain to say "I am Spring", but just to announce Spring is here. When all the flowers are blooming and blossoming, she will stand amidst all and smile mere.
4. Unknown
Ode to the Plum Blossom
Wind and rain escorted Spring's departure, Flying snow welcome Spring's return. On the ice-clad rock rising high and sheer A flower blossom sweet and fair.
Sweet and fair, she craves not Spring for herself alone, To be the harbinger of Spring she is content. When the mountain flowers are in full bloom She will smile mingling in their midst.
5. Anonymous
Ode to the Plum Blossom
to the tune of Pu Suan Zi
On reading Lu You's Ode to the Plum Blossom, I countered it with the following lines.
Wind and rain escorted Spring's departure, Flying snow welcomes Spring's return. On the ice-clad rock rising high and sheer A flower blooms sweet and fair.
Sweet and fair, she craves not Spring for herself alone, To be the harbinger of Spring she is content. When the mountain flowers are in full bloom She will smile mingling in their midst.
6. Guzhengfu
Ode to the Plum Blossom
to the tune of Song of Divination
After reading Lu You's "Ode to the Plum Blossom," I composed the following to the same tune yet opposite to Lu You's in theme.
Wind and rain escorted Spring to go, Now spring returns welcomed by flying snow. High on the cliffs are icicles hundred-foot long, there, A flower springs up so fair.
So fair she is, yet, not so vain As to dominate Spring but to say it comes again. One day when all flowers bloom in different styles, She stands amid them all and smiles.
