Visiting the Temple of Golden Hill
- Poetry of Su Shi

我家江水初发源，宦游直送江人海。

闻道潮头一丈高，天寒尚有沙痕在。

中冷南畔石盘陀，古来出没随涛波。

试登绝顶望乡国，江南江北青山多。

羁愁畏晚寻归楫，山僧苦留看落日。

微风万顷靴文细，断霞半空鱼尾赤。

是时江月初生魄，二更月落天深黑。

江心似有炬火明，飞焰照山栖乌惊。

怅然归卧心莫识，非鬼非人竟何物。

江山如此不归山，江神见怪警我顽。

我谢江神岂得已，有田不归如江水！

My native town lies where the River takes its source, As official I go downstream to the seaside.

Tis said white-crested waves rise ten feet high at full tide, On this cold day the sand bears traces of their force.

There stands a massive boulder south of Central Fountain, Emerging or submerged as the tides fall or rise.

I climb atop to see where my native town lies, But find by riverside green mountain on green mountain.

Home-sick,I will go back by boat lest I be late, But the monk begs me to stay and view the setting sun.

The breeze ripples the water and fine webs are spun; Rosy clouds in mid-air like fish-tails undulate.

Then the moon on the river sheds her new-born light, By second watch she sinks into the darkened skies. 

From the heart of the river a torch seems to rise, Its flames light up the mountains and the crows take flight.

Bewildered,I come back and go to bed, lost in thought: It's not a work of man or ghost. Then what is it?

It must be the River God's warning for me to quit And go to my home-town, which I can't set at nought.

Thanking the God,I say I'm reluctant to stay, If I won't go home, like these waves I' ll pass away!