A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO PLATINUM CITY
An Editor’s Notation, following conversation with the translator…
This brief reader’s introduction to Chinese poet-philosopher Hongri Yuan’s Platinum City poem which is his vision (while meditating in 1991 and written in 1998). It is his view of a civilization from the ancient past, its connection with prior human life and the projection that with more awareness humans could become a more universal future civilization and people. From his consideration of ancient times wherein humans were giant-like and more idealized and gods idealized beings, he suggests that this view offers us a glimpse of what mankind may become with elimination of boundaries of nation, race and religion, for instance.
Yuan believes that concepts of good vs. evil and beauty vs. ugliness will dissipate and humans can achieve a more universal civilization and homeland in the universe. Further, Yuan notes that prior times don’t disappear but remain locked within Space, and discovery of more such civilizations can only provide humans with keys to our advancement in the future.
Platinum City By Chinese Poet Hongri Yuan Translated by Manu Mangattu Assistant Professor, Department of English St George College Aruvithura, India manumangattu@gmail.com www.mutemelodist.com Ah! Of iridescent gems of time The heavenly road you paved light！ In a kingdom of stars, I found my home. In the golden cities, I opened the gates of the city to the sun, To behold the godly giants. At the royal palace of the jewel I read of prehistoric wonderful poems The enormous, gorgeous ancient books. Carved with the golden words The wondrous strange mystery tales, Made my eyes drunken. I walked into the full new universes, And saw the holy kingdoms: Even before the earth was born The erstwhile home of human history. Across Time and Space in crystalline glitter Stands this moment a platinum city – The spaceships drifting leisurely, Like the birds, resplendent in variegated hues. In the crystal garden I saw A crowd of youthful giants, Their eyes were bright and glittering In the aura of the body sparkle.. They sang happy songs They danced a wonderful dance Lanky boys and girls in pairs As if to celebrate the splendid carnival. I saw a circular edifice High above the city. Giving out white-bright lightnings. Raised ground to fly into the quiet space. A frame of platinum edifice Creating a beautiful pattern. The whole city is a circle Arranged into a fine structure. Into a bright hall I went. A strange instrument there I saw. A huge screen hanging on the wall, Displaying a golden space. Like bits of colourful crystal gemstones! Resplendent with variegated colours of the city! Those strange and beautiful high-rise buildings A sight better than the myth of the world. I saw lines of strange letters. On one side of the screen flashed swiftly Numerous young and strong giants An effort to concentrate on the changing images. Their look is quiet and peaceful. The learned flame flashes in their eyes. In a flash of clothes The next is a whole. Their stature, unusually tall. Each one is well-nigh seven meters high. Both men and women look dignified Almost no age difference apparent. Their skin is white as snow With a faint flashy shine Bright eyes are as naive as an infant’s Also kindled with a strange flame. They manipulate the magic of the instrument. The pictures of the changing space. Their language is artless and plane. As the bell is generally pleasant. As I survey the length and breadth of the bright hall I feel a powerful energy Body and mind suffused with bliss and delight. As if I too am a giant. I seem to understand their language. They are exploring the mysteries of the universe. The cities on a lot of planets Peopled with their countless partners. Their mind they use to manipulate the instrument Also can to transfer data be used Even thousands of miles apart Also to talk free to the heart. Many lines of text on the screen Is but a message from afar. The whole universe is their home. They build cities in space. They use the spaceships To transport you to far-distant other spaces. Into a lightning, a moment, and you Vanish into thin air, without a trace. I feel a new civilization. They have magical eyes. They seem to be able to see the future And can enter diverse time-spaces. Men and women are holy and loving Superior to our world's so-called love They don't seem to understand ageing Neither do they know about war. Time seems not to exist Science is jut a wonderful art Their happiness comes from the creation of A universe full of divine love. I saw a young giant Opening the door of a platinum A round, magnificent hall Packed with rows of giant s of men and women. I saw a crystal stage. Gyrating at the center of the hall. Where a dignified and beautiful girl Was playing a huge musical instrument. A bunch of golden rays, Shifting with all kinds of brilliant graphics A mysterious and beautiful music Like the Dragon leisurely crowing. Thence I saw an enormous giant Jump out of the remarkable dance onto the stage. His hands held a huge ball Which flashed with many colourful drawing . I saw a group of young girls Wearing a kind of white dresses They seemed to fly lightly Like the giant cranes. The huge circular hall was resplendent With clear, transparent decoration. Like a bizarre gem of a full set， Scintillating brilliantly in the light. I saw a young singer About the golden flame The sound was strange and striking Like singing , like chanting too. Their music is at once mysterious and blissful That shift randomly like the lightning As if many planets of the universe Shining bright and light in space. The crystal city, aloft in space Looks resplendent, magnificent Countless wonderful golden flowers Bloom and blush in that flawless space. I saw an image of a transparent smiling face, As if it were a colourful garden The sky shed the golden light And turned it into a city of gold. I strode out of the circular hall Came to a wide street with a smooth Pavement covered with precious stones And in line with the platinum edifice. There are no terrestrial trees here, But they are in full bloom with a lot of exotic flowers. Sparkling with rich incense, Shaping a garden at the center of the street. Some strange flowers were there. The branches as transparent crystal Flashing all kinds of brilliant colours; And bunches of round golden fruit. I saw a huge statue. It was like a spaceship. Clustered around by shining stars, High above the centre of the street. I saw the column of a dazzling fountain In a huge circle in the square; The elegantly modelled statues Portraying the holy giants. The soaring magnificent edifices Ran round the circle square. There were some garden villas There was a platinum steeple. I saw a wide river Girdling this huge city The bottom flashed with transparent gold dust, Amidst which were scattered brilliant gems. The planning of tall trees on shore And a long crystal corridor A big multi-coloured bird Three five one group floated on the surface of the water. I saw a vast forest The swaying tree, a tree of gold The trees with towering spires And as some platinum Pavilion. I saw some giants along the walk, Some male and female bodybuilders. At the water's brink or in the forest Like birds carefree and relaxed. The wonderful space was as bright as crystal Embraced this platinum city; A giant, white and bright ball Flashing boundless light into the air. It resembled the huge suns And like the man-made planets The whole city was shining too, Weaving a rare breed of magic. A strange speeding train circled About the city back and forth; There seemed to be a kind of track in the sky Like a shiny silver curve. They seated body white buildings As if it was a dreamlike maze This huge city was unusually quiet, Could not even hear the sound of the wind. I bade goodbye to the platinum city. Near a golden space Stands another city here A huge city of gold. The building here is also huge. But it's another beautiful shape. The whole city is glittering Golden edifice as beautiful as sculpture. Here there live some other giants. As if from another nation They have boundless wisdom. Like a golden, holy civilization. 3.3. 1998 Bio: Hongri Yuan, born in China in 1962, is a poet and philosopher interested particularly in creation. Representative works include Platinum City, The City of Gold, Golden Paradise, Gold Sun and Golden Giant. His poetry has been published in the UK, USA, India, New Zealand, Canada and Nigeria. The theme of his work is the exploration about human prehistoric civilization and future civilization. 《白金城市》 远红日 时间的五彩宝石啊 你铺成了光芒的天路 在一座星辰的王国 我找到了自己的家园 我打开一座座太阳的城门 在一座座黄金的城市 见到了一个个神圣的巨人 在那宝石镶嵌的皇宫 阅读了史前奇妙的诗篇 一部部古奥华丽的巨书 镌雕着黄金的词语 一篇篇玄奇美妙的故事 迷醉了我的双眼 我走进了一个个崭新的宇宙 看到了一座座圣洁的王国 在地球还没有诞生之前 曾经是人类的史前的家园 时空的水晶啊光芒闪耀 一座白金的城市矗立眼前 一只只飞船悠悠飘过 像一只只巨鸟五光十色 我看到一个个年轻的巨人 身体闪耀七彩的光环 他们的眼睛欢喜明亮 聚会在一座水晶的花园 他们唱着欢快的歌曲 跳着一种奇妙的舞蹈 一对对高大的少男少女 仿佛在庆贺盛大的节日 我看到一座圆形的巨厦 高高耸立在城市的上空 发出一道道白亮的闪电 高高地飞入宁静的太空 一座座通体白金的巨厦 构成了一个美妙的图案 整个城市是一个圆形 排列成一个精致的结构 我走进一座明亮的大厅 看到一排奇特的仪器 墙上悬挂巨大的屏幕 显映出一片金色的太空 一座座五光十色的城市 像一块块五彩晶莹的宝石 那些奇丽的高楼巨厦 胜过了人间幻想的神话 我看到一行行陌生的字母 在一面屏幕上匆匆闪过 几位年轻健壮的巨人 专注地观看变幻的图像 他们的神情宁静安然 两眼闪映智慧的光芒 穿着一种闪光的衣装 通体上下是一个整体 他们的身材异常高大 个个足有七米多高 男男女女容貌端庄 几乎没有年龄的区别 他们的皮肤洁白如雪 隐隐闪出亮丽的光泽 明亮的眼睛单纯如婴儿 又含着一种奇异的火焰 他们操纵神奇的仪器 变幻太空一幅幅图景 他们的语言简洁流畅 像钟磬一般悦耳动听 我端详这座明亮的大厅 感受到一种强大的能量 身心充满了幸福欢喜 自己也仿佛变成了巨人 我似乎听懂了他们的语言 他们在探索宇宙的奥秘 那一颗颗星球上的城市 住着他们无数个伙伴 他们用意念操纵仪器 也可以用意念传递信息 即使相距千里万里 也可以自由地用心交谈 那屏幕上的一行行文字 即是远方传来的信息 整个宇宙是他们的家园 他们在太空建造城市 他们乘坐的太空飞船 可以到达另外的空间 一瞬间化成一道闪电 在空中变得无影无踪 我感受到一种新的文明 他们长着神奇的眼睛 他们似乎能看到未来 也能进入不同的时空 男男女女都圣洁慈爱 胜过人间所谓的爱情 他们仿佛不懂得衰老 也不知道什么叫战争 时间仿佛并不存在 科学就是奇妙的艺术 他们的快乐来自创造 对宇宙充满神圣的感情 我看到一位年轻的巨人 打开了一座白金的大门 一座圆形的华丽的大厅 坐满了一排排男女巨人 我看到一座水晶的舞台 旋转在这座大厅的中央 一位端庄美丽的少女 演奏着一种巨型的乐器 一束一束金色的光芒 变幻出各种奇妙的图形 一种玄妙动人的音乐 仿佛是龙凤悠然的啼鸣 我看到一位健美的巨人 在台上跳出奇异的舞蹈 他手中托起巨大的圆球 球内闪耀着彩色的画图 我看到一队妙龄的女郎 穿着一种雪白的裙裳 他们仿佛在翩翩飞翔 像是一只只巨大的仙鹤 巨大的圆厅金碧辉煌 像水晶一般清澈透明 又像是嵌满奇异的宝石 闪耀出一种绚丽的光芒 我看到一位年轻的歌手 全身缭绕着金色的火焰 那声音奇特而又优美 像是歌唱又像是吟诵 他们的音乐欢喜玄妙 像一道道闪电变幻莫测 仿佛是宇宙的一颗颗星球 在太空中闪烁亮丽的光芒 又仿佛一座座水晶的城市 在空中矗立宏伟辉煌 无数奇妙的金色的花朵 开满了清澈晶莹的太空 我看到一张张透明的笑脸 仿佛是一座缤纷的花园 金色的光芒从天空洒下 化成了一座座黄金之城 我走出了这座圆形大厅 来到一条宽阔的街道 光洁的路面嵌满宝石 两旁林立白金的巨厦 在这儿没有人间的树木 却盛开各种奇异的花朵 浓郁芳香又闪闪发光 形成了一座座街心花园 这是一些奇特的花木 枝干透明仿佛水晶 闪烁各种奇妙的颜色 还有一串串金色的圆果 我看到一座巨大的塑像 仿佛一个太空飞船 高高地耸立在街头中心 周围闪耀一颗颗星球 我看到一柱柱晶莹的喷泉 在一座巨大的圆形广场 一座座造型优美的雕像 刻画出一个个圣洁的巨人 一座座巍峨壮丽的巨厦 环绕着这座圆形的广场 巨厦的上面是一些花园 还有一座座白金的尖塔 我看到一条宽广的河流 怀抱着这座巨大的城市 水底闪映出透明的金沙 还有一颗颗七彩的宝石 岸边排列高大的花木 和一条条水晶的长廊 一种色彩亮丽的大鸟 三五一群在水面飞翔 我看到一座广阔的树林 摇曳着一树树黄金的树叶 树林中耸立一座座尖塔 又仿佛一些白金的楼阁 我看到一些漫步的巨人 男男女女健美潇洒 或在水边或在林中 像鸟儿一般逍遥自在 奇妙的太空亮如水晶 怀抱着这座白金城市 一只一只白亮的巨球 在空中闪放无际的光明 仿佛是一颗颗巨大的太阳 又像是一颗颗人造的星球 整座城市也闪放光芒 形成一种神奇的景象 一种奇特的飞驰的列车 在城市上空回环往复 天空中仿佛有一种轨道 像一条银白闪亮的曲线 那一座座通体白亮的巨厦 仿佛是一座座神奇的迷宫 巨大的城市异常宁静 甚至听不到风儿的声音 我告别了这座白金城市 奔向了一片金色的太空 在这儿矗立另一座城市 一座巨大的黄金之城 这儿的建筑同样巨大 却是另一种美丽的造型 整座城市金光灿烂 黄金的巨厦美如雕塑 这儿生活着另一些巨人 仿佛来自另一个民族 他们拥有伟大的智慧 像黄金一般圣洁的文明