A couple of questions on rhyming in Chinese poetry I've read that level tones rhyme with levels tones, and non-level with non-level ones. Does this mean that, for instance, ma1 only goes with ma1, while ma2, ma3 and ma4 all rhyme among themselves? Also, to Mandarin speakers, do syllables that end with "eng" rhyme with those that end with "ang"?

唱歌的声调，话的声调 第一东西，对不起我的不好汉语。 我正在听歌 "天下无双"，很票亮歌。我好奇，什么时候中国人唱歌，他们用声调吗? 似乎难极。

At the bottom of the mountain When I was little, I greatly enoyed the mini-series "Shogun". Even back then my favorite part was Mariko's Japanese lessons. I remember thinking how easy the language was. What I did not suspect is that it boasts the most complex writing system, as a form of balance, I guess. I chose to work on two things simultaneously: spoken Japanese and kanji. I'm slowly digging through jōyō kanji, approaching 200. Probably not the smartest method, but I hope to start reading something once I've finished with this. Reading would help engrave kanji in my brain, and, hopefully, hiragana and katakana as well. There's a lot of hope involved in my learning technique, heh. 2136 is one intimidating figure... but I already know the kanji for "fear" and "intimidate"!

"Immortality" by Sasha Chorny Poetry that bites. First in original Russian, then in my translation. Бессмертье? Вам, двуногие кроты, Не стоящие дня земного срока? Пожалуй, ящерицы, жабы и глисты Того же захотят, обидевшись глубоко... Мещане с крылышками! Пряники и рай! Полвека жрали — и в награду вечность... Торг не дурён. «Помилуй и подай!» Подай рабам патент на бесконечность. Тюремщики своей земной тюрьмы, Грызущие друг друга в каждой щели, Украли у пророков их псалмы, Чтоб бормотать их в храмах раз в неделю... Нам, зрячим, — бесконечная печаль, А им, слепым, — бенгальские надежды, Сусальная сияющая даль, Гарантированные брачные одежды!.. Не клянчите! Господь и мудр, и строг, — Земные дни бездарны и убоги, Не пустит вас Господь и на порог, Сгниёте все, как падаль, у дороги. Immortal? You, two-legged bunch of moles, Who don't deserve a single breath of air? Why, then the lizards, toads, even worms Would riot and demand an equal share... You winged hucksters! Candied paradise! The life eternal for a lifetime eating... A lovely deal. "Forgive and give, o Christ!" Give onto slaves a juicy slice of Eden. You jailers of your own earthly cage, Forever gnawing at each other's bones. You thieves, you've stolen psalms from every sage To mumble weekly at your empty sermons... For those of us who see - no second chance, For them, the blind - a future free of doubts, A mesmerizing sugary expanse, With spotless wedding garments on the house! Quit groveling! The Lord is wise and stern, Your precious soul just ain't worth the barter. Don't even think of making Heaven home; Like deadmeat, you'll be rotting in the gutter.

what fools around comes around 望月同碗羹汤。 星斗同满手盐。 空腹是不好诗人。