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Poetry Competetion

Silent Flames, Forbidden Paths

"Let me take a look." Professor Wright’s voice was calm, professional even, but his touch—steady and assured as he lifted me onto the desk—was anything but ordinary. His hands, broad and strong, lingered just a moment too long on my arm as he steadied me, sending an unwelcome but undeniable shiver down my spine. I swallowed hard, trying not to notice the way his tie loosened slightly as he leaned in or the faint scent of cedarwood and worn pages that seemed to follow him everywhere. He was close enough now that I could see the faint worry lines etched into his brow as he carefully slid the strap of my uniform off my shoulder. "Alina," he said softly, his voice low but tinged with exasperation, "why do you always end up hurt?" His fingers ghosted over the darkened skin near my collarbone, examining it with the precision of someone who cared too much but tried not to show it. "You need to stop being reckless," he murmured, his tone shifting, softer now. "If anyone bullies you again, come to my office, and I’ll deal with them." It was a simple offer, but I had to remind myself, loudly and firmly, that this was my professor. The man responsible for my education, not... whatever my mind was trying to turn him into. "Professor Wright," I started, trying to regain control of the situation—and my racing heart. "This really isn’t a big deal. I can handle myself." His jaw tightened ever so slightly, and for a fleeting moment, I thought he might argue. Instead, he stepped back, his hands falling away from me as if realizing they’d overstayed their welcome. --------------------------------------------------------------- Alina Hart, a sharp-tongued high school senior, hides behind sarcasm and wit to mask the pain of fractured family life. Shipped off to a prestigious boarding school by a father who no longer sees her, Alina struggles to find her place in a world of strict rules and academic expectations. Enter Professor Cristiano Wright, a 27-year-old literature teacher whose calm demeanor and sharp intellect make him both an enigma and a fascination. Tasked by Alina’s older brother Ethan to keep an eye on her, Wright finds himself drawn to the complexity beneath her rebellious exterior. In the backdrop of Shakespearean sonnets and Romantic poetry, Alina and Wright navigate an increasingly fraught connection. What begins as reluctant mentorship soon transforms into a tangled web of forbidden emotions, unspoken words, and an undeniable pull that neither can ignore. Set against the bustling corridors of an urban high school and the quiet corners of a library filled with unspoken confessions, Silent Flames, Forbidden Paths explores the fine line between admiration and desire, duty and vulnerability. As Alina and Wright grapple with their feelings, they must confront their moral boundaries and the cost of their choices. Can they maintain the lines they’ve drawn, or will their emotions blur them beyond recognition?
ALT_Annchi_ · 1.2K Views

Slay Thy Conqueror

Throughout history, certain individuals have left an indelible mark on the world they lived in. These figures rose above the chaos of their times, leaving behind legacies that shaped kingdoms and empires, some rising to greatness, while others crumbled into obscurity. In every era, there are those whose influence is undeniable—some revered, others feared. The title of Conqueror is reserved for those who wield unstoppable power—figures of absolute dominance who are both admired and dreaded. A conqueror’s name echoes through history, forever etched as a force that could bend nations to their will. In a world where mystic power came from nature, where people harness this nature into tools of calligraphy, arts, poetry, music and others as a form of powers—holding the key to possible and creative powers, the Ming Dynasty is on the brink of looming disaster as it ignored the threat of a conqueror. Amidst a turbulent era of war and political chaos, the emperor and his court ignore a dire warning of a rising conqueror, too consumed with internal strife and external threats to take action. The second prince, determined to perform in the stage of the Ming Dynasty, takes the conqueror matters into his own hands. With the possibility of the crown’s future at stake, having the emperor being ill, he forms an unlikely alliance of criminals from the royal prison, as last effort, offering them a chance at freedom in exchange for one final mission: to kill thy conqueror.
PurpleGrimmy · 1.9K Views

Dream of the Red Mansions

"Dream of the Red Mansions," the seminal novel penned by the Qing Dynasty writer Cao Xueqin, presents a vivid tapestry of life within the aristocratic society of China's feudal era. Despite the constraint of word count, I shall endeavor to encapsulate its translation into English and offer a concise portrayal of its iconic imagery. The title "Dream of the Red Mansions" itself, translated as "A Dream of Red Mansions" by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang, alludes to the grandeur and opulence of the Jia clan's mansion, where the story unfolds. In Western cultures, "red" might connote blood or violence, whereas in the Chinese context, it symbolizes prosperity and status. This translation, though faithful to the original, carries a nuanced cultural difference that foreign readers may interpret through the lens of their own experiences. The novel revolves around the Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue families, portraying their rise and fall amidst the complexities of power, wealth, and love. The protagonist, Jia Baoyu, an enigmatic young man endowed with a "Jade of Spiritual Enlightenment," finds himself at the center of a web of relationships, particularly his unrequited love for Lin Daiyu, a delicate and sensitive beauty, and his arranged marriage to Xue Baochai, a more practical and conformist figure. The translation captures the intricate emotional landscape of these characters, rendering their intricate feelings and motivations in a manner that resonates with English-speaking audiences. The beauty of Lin Daiyu, for instance, is described in poetic terms that evoke her ethereal grace and fragile fragility, while Xue Baochai's character is portrayed as a bastion of traditional virtues, embodying the expectations of feudal society. The novel's imagery extends beyond the personal lives of its protagonists, encompassing the intricate architecture of the mansions, the rich tapestry of cultural practices, and the profound philosophy embedded in its poetry and prose. The "Red Mansions" themselves become a metaphor for the fleeting nature of wealth and power, serving as a backdrop for the play of human emotions and desires. In translation, the novel's rich cultural heritage and nuanced language pose significant challenges. Yet, the translators have striven to preserve the essence of the original work while adapting it to suit the sensibilities of English readers. Through their efforts, "Dream of the Red Mansions" transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, offering a window into the vibrant world of China's feudal aristocracy and the human drama that unfolded within its confines.
DaoistUgp21M · 3.5K Views
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