Two poems from Hard Roads an Cauld Hairst Winds

https://taprootpressuk.co.uk/2021/09/12/two-poems-from-hard-roads-an-cauld-hairst-winds/




‘Speelin Bonniebrou Braes’ (Li Bai)

In the Westlan Kinrik the’re monie halie hills,
But Bonniebrou’s marrowless yont aa ither;
A wandert aa owre’t ettlin ti speel up for a vizzy,
Sic unco sichts – hou’ll can a bodie see them aa?
The grey derk opens ti the lift abune,
Ye cudna pent yon mixter-maxter o hues;
Glamourt A’d soar, tane on wi the rosie rouks,
Wan throu ti the skeil o the Baudkin Poke;
Mang clouds wad blaw the Fair Fowk’s beriall flutes,
Owre clints wad thrum the jowelt tympans;
Ma haill life, smaa’s been ma ettlin,
But pleisur an lauchs wad be by wi frae this on;
The uncannie look wad be about ma brou,
The warld’s fasherie on a sudden tint an gane;
Gin A forgaither wi yon boy at striddles a yowe,
A’ll tak his haun an tove ayont the bricht sun.



Convoyin a Billie on a Lang Lang Road (Du Fu)

Wi airmit men aa owre the warld,
Whit for tak ye yon lang lang road, sir?
Yir fowk and freins greetin ilka yin,
Pownie saiddlt, you awa ti a lanesome toun.
Growth far gane i the back-en o the year,
Swyres an watters white wi snaa an cranreuch;
Yestreen we twyned, said fare-ye-weill;
Nou ye’ve seen whit hairts yir auld friens hae.