Drifting Time along the Tian Mu River-Translation not original work
Drifting Time along the Tian Mu River
I took a drift along the Tian Mu River at the end of the spring.
The old boatman stood at the tail of the wooden raft as time elapsed. The raft itself was leisurely floating about as if it would take me back to the forepassed tranquility from the bustle of the big city. There was no sound of the water and the mountain stood lofty aside.
I turned around and saw the mountain moving backwards far apart, the flowing water and the faraway horizon that was decorated by sunset glow. What a fantastic picture with so many beautiful things!
The mountain’s moving backwards and the water’s flowing away as the time went on so silently. When I turned around again, I was greatly impressed by the beauty of the sky and landscapes. However all of a sudden they vanished, hidden by the surrounding mountain, and the wonderful period of time also faded out forever. Many people once come across there, later they disappeared and moved on for their lives on different fortune’s wheels.
Once upon a time when I was a little child with a pair of plaits, I was sleeping gently at Mother’s bosom. Yet that beautiful moment has gone forever and ever. When Mother watched over me with her beautiful shining eyes, I felt there was no hatred or contention at all.
All those things were as beautiful and peaceful as the sky, the clouds and the water of the river.
I drifted along the river alone, pondering about a person faraway. He once watched over me with his bright eyes and smile, made me forget all the fear and emptiness. I missed this very person in memory of the past. Nevertheless I drifted to the same place again. Now he was at far distance, as untouchable as the flying bird at the apex of the high mountain. If I’d see him again in the future he’ll never be the same person I knew before, because we couldn’t get back to the old good days again.
Finally I arrived at a place that looked similar to my grandma’s home. This was the destination of the cruise, as well as the beginning of a new life. I looked back with a smile upon the peaceful time in the past. Oops! It’s all about a drifting time of a traveler like me.
