Uncle Wu: Financial Investment Sector, Local Top Scorer in University Entrance Exams
Me: Uncle Wu, you studied applied mathematics and were quite the academic star in maths. How did poetry come to captivate you? When did your love for poetry begin?
Uncle Wu: I wouldn’t call myself an academic star. I studied mathematics primarily for employment prospects, believing science and engineering fields offered better job opportunities. Naturally, I also enjoyed mathematics itself.
I believe my interest in poetry began in secondary school. There were several reasons: firstly, it may be human nature – many people possess an innate appreciation for the beauty of Chinese characters, particularly the rhythmic elegance of poetry. Secondly, my junior high Chinese teacher—a graduate of a teacher training university with a degree in Chinese literature—was exceptionally accomplished. As class monitor for Chinese, I interacted with him frequently. He possessed profound expertise in classical texts and poetry. Though he later transferred to an administrative role at the education bureau, his influence remains deeply ingrained in me. A few classmates who shared this interest formed a small circle, gradually deepening our fascination with poetry. After graduation and entering the workforce—over thirty years ago now—encountering more people and experiences, and maturing in thought, I gained a deeper appreciation for poetry. During my secondary school years, access to books was limited. Later, with the internet’s proliferation, acquiring books became effortless. Online platforms offered poetry analyses by eminent scholars like Professor Yip Ka-ying and Professor Wang Buhao, bringing classical verse closer and enriching my appreciation. These developments have deepened my affection for poetry.
Me: Thank you, Uncle Wu! I’m also particularly fond of Professor Ye Jiaying’s poetry analyses. So, Uncle Wu, what connection or relationship do you perceive between mathematics and poetry?
Uncle Wu: Frankly, in my own experience, I don’t feel there’s a significant connection between the two, as they belong to entirely different categories of endeavour. Mathematics emphasises rigour and deduction; numbers and symbols are abstract concepts, placing it firmly on the rational plane. It cultivates a more precise and logical mindset, which inevitably influences one’s approach to poetry to some degree. Poetry, however, is fundamentally more intuitive and subtly ambiguous, employing techniques like metaphor, personification, symbolism, and hyperbole. In my professional and personal life, I perceive little direct connection between the two.
Me: Indeed, different experiences may yield different perceptions. What, then, has poetry brought to your life?
Uncle Wu: Poetry nourishes the mind and spirit much like viewing paintings, watching films, or beholding beautiful landscapes. It offers beauty, delight, and a certain strength. It helps one comprehend the world and understand life.
Poetry:
西江月 . 江山如画
昨夜千山尽醉，今朝一水重逢。
心随鸿雁到天明，万里江山入梦。
楼外晨光初画，江边胜景新晴。
长空漫漫掠千峰，何必凌云为证！
