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Like the flower of the damson in the spring
lonely in the branch, with no fruit
so pure, so fragile
Like that
the tiny life offers itself to you
and you take it carelessly in your hands
and with no intention you break it......
(this is a translation from Cao Xieqin words)

Hi Sandra ~

I like this. It reminds me of an experience I had with a baby robin. First, saving its life; handfeeding it, as it imprinted with me as its mother; then, trying to protect it from others, taking its life, accidentally. In my grief, I wrote something, but don't remember if it was poem or prose. This brings it all back . Our interference with nature doesn't always work out for the best.

I hope you had a good Christmas.

~ Elizabeth

Oh, Lizzy, ....painful memory....very similar.
Now you've bummed me out, darn it!

~ Makera

Yes, it is strikingly similar. Thanks for your compassion and empathy, Makera.

Sandra ~ With Cao Xiegin, where did you find his words? His name appears Chinese/Mandarin[?]......are you able to read either, enough to do such translation? It appears to be a pretty accurate one.

~ Elizabeth

Yes, Liz... not just similar to Sandra's post, but to my own experiences as well; that's what really bummed me out - being reminded, by yours particularly.

~ Makera

Ahh, okay. That's how it struck me at first, but then I went with the similarity to the poem. I'm sorry to hear that. What happened with your good intentions?

Yes, he is a chinese writer.
I did not know him or his writings until I read that words of Xienqin in a forum I liked that very much and then I wanted to share it
Our Christmas has been windy and rainy even when it is summer here....

Thanks, Sandra. I'm glad you shared your find. It's mild and cool here. Windy and rainy must seem a bit off, but then summer does bring those days. Was your celebration of it good, nonetheless?