咏兰　林钰堂

绿叶修长飘逸姿，挺立净几启幽怀；
芳名素心花淡雅，因人行止偶传香。

跋

今日英译《兰香集》中之诗偈，重温〈前言〉中赞兰之语，因作此篇。此日又恰逢父亲节，正好藉此追思先父生平养兰、赏鲤、听金丝雀等寄情之事迹。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　一九九九年八月八日
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　养和斋　　　于加州

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Ode to Oriental Orchids　Yutang Lin

With green leaves slender to display postures elegant,
Standing on a clean end table, kindling sentiment.
Plain Mind is thy name with flowers simple and shade light;
Occasionally spreads its fragrance when people walk by.

Comment:

Today I was translating poems and gathas in my Chinese book "Lan Xiang Ji" (Collection of Orchid Fragrance) into English. Thereupon I came across words in the preface that are in praise of oriental orchids, and hence I composed this gatha. Today happens to be Father's Day for the Chinese people. This gatha reminds me of the leisure activities of my late father who used to enjoy cultivating orchids, watching carps, listening to canaries, etc.

Written in Chinese: August 8, 1999
Translated: October 12, 1999
El Cerrito, California

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