“Bamboo sounds” refers to the sound made by the wind blowing through the bamboo forest. He used this to compare his own poems to the simplicity of embellishment and the deep appreciation of nature. He said: “The bamboo garden was just repaired. After a light rain, the moss was clean and the vines were fresh. I sat in it, as slumped as a piece of snow. What can I do with writing? But I looked back and drew deep thoughts. The insects on banana leaves wrote, as if they were in rhythm, not wanting to fall into the smoke and eat the flowers. I looked up at the flowers and asked the birds to sing. Where is Gongyezi? I felt cold after hearing this. There is no one in the world who is afraid of me, so let me go to heaven.” Mr. Liao sat in the newly repaired bamboo garden, letting his thoughts run wild. He even compared himself to a pile of melting snow. The poems he wrote were like the traces of insects on banana leaves. He asked the birds among the flowers to sing. It can be said that he was in touch with nature.
“竹籁”是说风吹拂竹林所发出的声音，以此比喻自己的诗歌不事雕琢，深得自然之趣。他说：“竹圃初葺，微雨一过，苔洁萝鲜。予坐其中，颓如块雪耳，何与笔墨事？而顾相引以深也。蕉纸虫书，似以韵性，不欲落烟食朵颐。举向花间，倩鸟哦之。公冶子何在？听此冷然。世无忌人，容我仙去。”这位廖先生坐在刚修葺好的竹园里，放浪幽怀，竟把自己比作一堆将融化的雪，所写的诗文也如芭蕉叶上虫蛀的痕迹，请花间的禽鸟吟唱，可谓与大自然心通矣。
《自题竹籁小草》 廖燕
竹圃初葺，微雨一过，苔洁萝鲜，予坐其中。颓如块雪耳，似与笔墨事？而顾相引以深也。蕉纸虫书，似以韵胜，不欲落烟食朵颐。举向花间，倩鸟哦之。公冶子何在？听此泠然。世无忌人，容我仙去。
Notes on My Writings in the Bamboo Garden
Liao Yan
The bamboo garden has just been renovated. After a fine drizzle, the mosses and the vines are washed fresh and clear. Sitting in the garden, I feel as if I were a block of frozen snow. Will my writings and calligraphy I love so much lose appeal? When looking back at the bamboos, I feel that my writings and calligraphy are still of value. Written in palm leaves, they look like small worms, standing out for exotic appeal. I will not allow them to fall into secular hands and be made fun of. I wish to dedicate them to flowers and invite birds to sing for them. Where is Gongye Chang,(1) who can understand birds’ words? Upon hearing them, he is sure to be moved to tears. I wish people without jealousy will allow me to fly away like an immortal and live a carefree life.
1. Gongye Chang (519-470BC), son-in-law and disciple of Confucius, as well as one of the 72 sages, known as GOngyezi for his ability to understand birds’ words.
