THE CHINESE ZODIAC
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An existentialist Oryctolagus cuniculus once said…
“It’s so much better being alive…and not dead”
Hmm hmmm hmm hmm
Hmm Hmm hmm hmmm.
” But if I understood and could follow it’s thread.
I ‘d have to agree with what the Humming Bird said.”
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She loves me… she loves me not…yes indeed-o
Love tastes so good as sure as my name’s Libido
Eeeny meany merely male
Catching goldfish by the tail
At breakfast and lunch and dinner down they go
I do love them dearly but wish I had told them so.
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A Rat is a Rat is a Rat
And that’s that.
Rat-ta-tat-tat.
Art is a farce is a farce
A farce by any other name
Still smells…?
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Tiger! Tiger! Burning Bright
Upon the river of the Night
Who’d believe that she can’t see;
~ This paradox of felin~inity ~
Regally drifting upon her bier,
Not yet aware, it seems
The wood’s on fire.
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Love is in the archaeology of our tears.
Wrote a stoic old goat of ancient years.
And there is a time for each, mused he,
When nothing is as beautiful as a We.
When life’s restless waters flow on by
Lovers bereft must envy others and sigh.
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Row Row Row the barrel
Through white water and blue
Over the falls around the bend
This Monkey see this Monkey do
Whatever’s left yet to be done
To cross the line Life drew.
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It’s that time again Time to get it up
Time and again Time to set the clock
Time to stop mooning and crow.
Time and again Time to set the clock
Its Day again and Night’s got to go
Time for Eternity to tick the tock.
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Ol’ man Rib Eye Dat Ol’ man Rib Eye,
He mus’ know sumpin’ But don’t say nuthin’
He jes’ keeps rollin’ He keeps on rollin’ along.
Mebbe hummin’ a song Dat’s not too long
T’inkin’ of stuff And if dat’s not enough
Not t’inkin at all Dat’s quite tough.
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Rolling Rolling Rolling on the River of Time!
I’m a god! I’m an animal! ~ I’m the Lizard sublime!~
Searching Searching Searching. On high down low
Master of your destiny. Champion of the undertow.
Darkness that defines the Light ~ The One of my kind.
Roaming Roving Roiling. In the landscape of the Mind.
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Heaven blessed this beastie, truly Royal;
To be man’s guiding strength and loyal.
Nature’s gift to him – an unflinching heart
With the eye of a deadly speeding dart.
But conflict’s clamorous call slowly fades
Leaving him standing, watching parades.
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Monarch of a realm where passions rule
Greedy Pig. Needy Boar. Wherefore art thou?
Ignoble lord of all about, you play the Fool
Neath sweet Nature’s kind and laden bough.
Do you wonder, revelling in Her shading cool
What use is all this plenty without a sow?
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Upon the bones of man a vassal greets his Queen
Passing serenely silently through his dank domain.
Night’s dark temple made pure anew by her Light
His heart’s Song, celebrates the splendorous sight
Bewitched, transfixed by Her radiant secret beauty
Man’s only friend turns once more to his eternal duty.
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The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac is completed and it
is only for the Night Creature witness to have his say.
Mysterious Mistress
Arisen from her couch
Taunting my Darkness
Lighting up the night
Oh wanton Moon
You’re welcome.
But Hallow’een
Has gone.
REWRITE
Mysterious Mistress
Arisen from her couch
Banishing the night
Lighting up my Darkness
Oh dearest Moon
You’re welcome;
Now the Sun
has gone.
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Hi Anthony,
Hope you are getting better.
Whizwordz, the translator has translated a draft of the poem for your reference below. (Not chargeable)
In my point of view, it is good. I hope you can get a second opinion from a Chinese poet/academic to help you vet through this.
If you are happy with their creative translation and would pursue this option. You will need to get the Chinese poet/academic to assist you throughout the task.
I have my day job, I’m afraid I won’t be able to assist you to completion. You may liaison with the translator directly via email.
J
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SAMPLE ~WHIZZWORDS
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A Rat is a Rat is a Rat
鼠辈鼠性难移
And that’s that.
注定鼠尾结局
Rat-ta-tat-tat.
嘘嘘嘘，鼠辈赶之不去!
Art is a farce is a farce
挂艺术大旗、滑天下之大稽
A farce by any other name
喊着是酒、卖的却是醋
Still smells…?
真以为能掩酸味如故??
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Hello Min – Just confirming my interest in your interest and that I will be taking my time getting to ‘production’ of the exhibition images – many things will change and many stay the same. Good luck with your thesis -The 12 sets of couplets (and images)were produced over 12 weeks and whatever I might think of them now I am loyal in a good way to them.
Before I came to Melbourne I was in Singapore and a friend – Singaporean put them in front of a translation house – The sample below arrived yesterday for free via my friend. While I was having lunch with Bridget in fact.
The last conversation I had with my friend I insisted I needed oversight of a third party who understood the poetic – more a lyric intent of my text and could transliterate it as well as the language. I also did hope to give equity to the author in final uses. One not superior to the other?
A PLACE TO CELEBRATE 
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