Quickly chopstick text translation

[Martini91]

Hi all!

I would love a Chinese native to translate the text in these chopsticks. Thank you so much

[Jim]

It's a poem by Bai Juyi: https://so.gushiwen.org/shiwenv_78e40aacbd00.aspx

 

Was looking for an existing English translation as he's enormously famous but couldn't find one on a quick search, it describes the first frost bending the plantain and lotus leaves but the chrysanthemum hanging over the garden wall is not bothered by the cold and only blooms more fragrantly. But written beautifully

[Martini91]

Thank you so much! ?

[Jim]

3 hours ago, Martini91 said:

Thank you so much! ?

I know there's a few proper translations of Bai Juyi's poetry about so might be worth checking out if the poem appears in one of those, I only went off a Bing search from within China so not much shows up and Google books might have more. The title is something like Song of the Chrysanthemum. 

In the meantime, here's a rough version:

 

一夜新霜著瓦轻，芭蕉新折败荷倾。
耐寒唯有东篱菊，金粟初开晓更清。

 

A first frost lies light on the tiles overnight, snapping young plantain shoots and bending lotus low,

The chrysanthemum by the east-side fence alone weathers the chill, its golden first blooming a fresh scent in dawn glow.

[abcdefg]

Those are very literary chopsticks! I think they showcase an aspect of the Chinese aesthetic, that everyday objects can be true works of art. Not only that, but the calligraphy looks carefully done. 

 

@Martini91 -- What is the story behind these? Where were they made? Where were they bought? Were they expensive? Do you plan to display them? Do you plan to use them? Do you have other pieces by the same artist/craftsman? 

 

(It's time to give something back to the forum which helped you.)