Ah—
The mysterious and beautiful Jiuzhai and Huanglong,
Opening hearts and minds—broad, sincere;
Consecrating water—clear, clean;
Presenting smiles—natural, sweet. 

Oh, the beautiful springs of these enchanted lands—Source of life, springs of happiness!
Gently they whisper and quietly they flow, only to surge Violently, intensely, rising up loud and strong. 

I know that the daughters of heaven
Have been here, bathing and playing;
I know that elves from the mountains
Have been here too, drinking and singing: celebrating.

Look—
How their graceful, elegant dancing
Has left behind such color-filled scenes. 

Listen—
How their excited, lofty feelings
Have become roaring waterfalls,
Resounding like thousands of galloping horses. 

Ah—
The mysterious and beautiful Jiuzhai and Huanglong,
Bidding farewell to the deep sleep of billions of years,
Awakening with the classic elegance of yesterday,
today’s magnificent beauty—
All of it intoxicating to me: intoxicating,
Deeply intoxicating.

Note: Master Ou (picture on the right) was composing this beautiful poem on the Lake Jianzhu in the Jiuzhaigou National Park. His lovely wife grasped the chances to photograph the poet and the scenery portrayed by the poet.

Translated by: Robert Anderson, Olivia Ou