Farewell Poem of Yan Fei: Four Beauties of Our Class

Yan Fei

Four beauties of the Central South and Xiang, with orchid hearts and fairy souls;
Her beauty shines brighter than the stars, and her talent surpasses professors by three points.

Three provinces' classmates for years, a lifetime of friendship always cherished.
A sad drop of Xiang River water, Turns into a fragrant pool, repaying the gushing spring.

Winter sweet blooms on the roadside, not contending for spring, A hibiscus emerging from water finds a kindred spirit.
A brief encounter brings much joy, a resolute choice leads to uncontrollable emotions.

Four years of dreams, cultivating a barren land, I can't forget the unique initial state;
The campus scenery is infinitely beautiful, but Wen Jun does not love the sickly Xiangru.

Youth sings in Tujiachong, prime of life in Jinpenling;
Wandering the sea of books, toil is the boat; seeking the path on the mountain of books, diligence is the trail.

I have also planted trees on the banks of the Xiang River, and I have also wandered on Mount Yuelu.
Shaoshan, Hengshan, Jinggangshan, graduation comes and goes in the blink of an eye!

Thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye, time flies as fast as lightning.
Let's meet again in Southern Xinjiang, travelers from the five continents and four seas!

Embracing, love is more sincere; shaking hands, laughter brings joy.
Playing and tossing the embroidered ball with you, sharing cups and drinking together with you!

The bamboo forest sings at the great King's Beach, Hand in hand we journey through the elite gardens.
The riverside town's moonlight casts a poetic glow, and the sugarcane field's morning light reflects smiling faces!

The plum blossoms' three variations carry deep meaning, while hibiscus petals part on either side of the face.
The setting sun's tango stands resolute, always relying on green mountains that paint the azure clouds!

The winding paths of Nan Yue's mountains and waters lead on, three hurried days but the desire is not yet quenched.
How many days until my beauty returns to my dreams, to embrace the Twelve Peaks of Mount Wu together!

Seas turn to mulberry fields, how long will this ancient poetry cherish the lingering affection?
Even though we are thousands of miles apart, my longing for you will still reach you at the ends of the earth!

Inscription: Thirty years later, classmates reunite. The wind blows through the white sun, time flies west. Of the 34 classmates from Class Four, Highway Department, Changsha Communications Institute (now renamed Changsha University of Science and Technology), there were only four female students: Zhao Dongmei, Yu Shuirong, Lu Yi, and Xu Ping. Each was beautiful and elegant, known as the "Four Beauties of Gong Si." Time is like poetry, like a painting, like strings of a zither. Finally, reunited with you all. The Four Beauties of Gong Si are now all professors and senior engineers, as elegant and beautiful as ever. Our reunion in the southern border of China in October is still vivid in my memory. Seeing your smiling faces and hearing your joyful laughter; sitting opposite you, chatting away; exchanging knowing glances and toasting each other at the grand banquet; holding your hands, with mountains behind us, striking a pose for a drunken tango, superimposed on the border of China and Vietnam; holding your hands, embracing you, pressing my battle-worn right cheek against your left cheek, which blooms like a flower… Class Gong Si had more men than women, and most of the 30 male students achieved great success in their careers. There were officials, professors, wealthy businessmen, celebrities, and worthy individuals. Each stood out and led a splendid life. Xiong Youshan, Zhan Jianhui, Tian Zhongchu, Ding Lun, Shou Xu, Bao Long, Zuan Jin, and others were all pillars of the nation. Luo Jian, Luo Jing, He Wei, Xu Zhang, Old Deng, Hui Guang, Zhi An, Dai Gong, Guo Qin, A Jiang, Old Zuo, Old Qiu, A Hu, A Xing, and others… were all leaders in their respective fields. It pains me to omit the brothers in this piece. I will settle this literary debt at a later date. Today, I write a poem and sing a song, to solely praise the four female students of Class Gong Si. Expressing the camaraderie of classmates, not about romance. It is New Year's Day, the beginning of a new year. The poet's heart is stirred, feelings surge. Warming wine and grinding ink, following the poetic style of the Tang Dynasty, I compose a seven-character regulated verse for the four beautiful classmates, titled "Ode to the Four Beauties of Gong Si." As it is said, swallows fly as they bring wine, the poem praises the four beauties! Poetry and wine have always been fueled by passion, even knowing fate, one can still be youthful! January 1, 2017 Toronto