生當如夏花 It Is Not Growing like a Tree

It is not growing like a tree

要成就人生，

In bulk doth make man better be;

不必如巨樹，木秀於林；

Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,

不必如橡樹，經年不倒，

To fAll a log at last, dry, bald, and sere:

亦難逃枯朽之命；

A lily of a day

五月之百合，

Is fairer far in may,

綻放一日，便有萬種風情；

Although it fall and die that night—

縱然是夜凋零，

It was the plant and flower of light.

卻是光華的落英；

In small proportions we just beauties see;

於細微處領略美麗，

And in short measures life may perfect be.

於殘缺處完滿生命。