POETIC DELIGHTS BY FEI YIFEI-CHINA
1-Gently Embraced by a Tranquil Autumn
A few birds fly past, then a few more
Autumn wind pulls the sky vast and empty
The trees begin shedding leaves, to cast off sorrows
After so many partings
We pick fallen pine cones in the woods
And copying squirrels, we pile them up for winter
We search for firewood, saving up kindling—
We must always leave a way out for an uncertain future
The lake lies calm, perfect for skipping stones
We watch them leap forward before sinking, believing at least one
Would swim back
We believe the trees are not surrendering but resetting their makeup
The ground was already blanketed with golden leaves, each one being clean
The whole twilight feels so clean
Slanting sunlight on our shoulders, wind brushing our cheeks—
For a moment, we felt gently embraced by tranquil autumn
At the closing hour, one must leave
Some warmth and tenderness to savor in this race against time
At that moment, we love peace like never before.
2-The Pet Cat
Its greatest magic, an innate superpower
Is making no sound at all
Whether running, leaping, pouncing
Whether stroked, cuddled, or driven away
Or just crouching on a chair, watching you
It is always quiet like a glass of warm water
At times, you think you have raised a schemer
Plotting each day, waiting
For some unknown moment in the house
This creature that sleeps by day and prowls by night
Can’t help but stir suspicion
Having many enemies, much hating or being hated
It is cautious by nature, hiding its claws and fangs
But often it slips to your feet, meows softly
Looks up at you with innocent eyes
And suddenly all your vigilance seems unnecessary
That uncertainty of feeling
Only heightens your imagination and attention
But when you pause your pen, turn to look
You find it has disappeared again.
3-I Have a Tree
In the sky, like a green house
Lives a shining sheep, and a delicate bird
Above the clouds is sunshine, and winds come, slowly raising them up
The sheep plays the lute, and the bird sings songs
I sit in the shade beneath the tree, drinking clean water
Writing what I like
With a green leaf
I brush off the dust on my body
When it rains, immortals pass by
I tell them the story I have just finished
Every plot is new. A story
Is a freshly bloomed flower in heaven
(Translated by Prof. Shi Yonghao)
Fei Yifei, an acclaimed contemporary Chinese poet, was born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Early in his life, he served in the military, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel and leading the military training department of an Air Force unit. After transitioning from military service, he entered the financial insurance industry, where he held key positions such as general manager of Sunshine Property Insurance Zhejiang Branch and president of both Sunshine Life Insurance and Sunshine Property Insurance companies. A passionate traveler and poet, Fei Yifei has consistently channeled his experiences and reflections into poetry, capturing the beauty of his journey and insights into life. He is a member of the Zhejiang Writers Association and the Chinese Poetry Society, with works featured in numerous national and international publications and anthologies. His notable poetry collections include My River and Walking and Loving, alongside several prose and documentary works. He has received several prestigious awards, including the 7th China Contemporary Poetry Award, the Excellent Work Award for Chinese Concise Prose, Best Poet of the Year (2024), the Nekazano Literature Award of Montenegro (2025), and the 23rd Lebanon International Prize for Literature. His poetry has been translated into over ten languages, such as English, Italian, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Arabic, and more, earning him a prominent place in global literary circles.
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