The Other China

花間

Lao Shu 老樹 is the nom de plume of Liu Shuyong (劉樹勇, 1962-), a Beijing-based artist, writer, critic and professor in communications. His artistic voice is unique and personal, its tenor, whimsy and profundity evoke what for decades we have called The Other China — a cultural noosphere that is as undeniably local as it is universal.

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For more work by Lao Shu, see The Other China.

— Geremie R. Barmé
10 May 2025

乙巳年辛巳月己卯日

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春季漸漸走遠，
花落不必傷悲。
夏天已經來到，
風中開滿薔薇。

The spring is in retreat, but
pine not for falling petals.
Summer is now upon us and
roses blossom in the wind.

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Tender green on a distant branch,
there a hint of blossom yet lingers.
Still, the true mysteries of spring
are ever hidden deep within us.

— [Lao] Shu, late spring, Year of the Snake

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相約多少回，
浪遊桃花島。
待到夢醒時，
可憐春已老。

Tried catching up so many times,
wandering on Peach Blossom Isle.
Finally stirring from my dreams
I mourn the loss of spring’s blush.

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Sitting down after a busy day
to enjoy a simple drink of tea.

When drained, I think: with a simple change
of water, my cup becomes a vase for flowers.

— Lao Shu

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Waking to a garden drenched by rain,
scattered petals resting where they fell.

Gathering in some garlic chives to stir-fry
with eggs, at least the morning meal satisfies.

— Lao Shu’s record of a scene following a night
of rain, early summer, Year of the Snake

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