Regret lacking the brush-strength to rival Yantan,
In vain, this fervor—just an old homebound man.
Not yet ascended the azure clouds, yet dreams persist;
I long to inspire each other and roam in Jiangnan.
—Written two decades ago for Desheng of Nanjing University, while studying Wang Duo’s calligraphy (hence “yantan” the master’s art name). Learners should silently wrestle ghosts of ancients; those who squabble with contemporaries lack all ambition.
In vain, this fervor—just an old homebound man.
Not yet ascended the azure clouds, yet dreams persist;
I long to inspire each other and roam in Jiangnan.
—Written two decades ago for Desheng of Nanjing University, while studying Wang Duo’s calligraphy (hence “yantan” the master’s art name). Learners should silently wrestle ghosts of ancients; those who squabble with contemporaries lack all ambition.
