Ballads of Four Seasons: Winter

Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po) 《子夜四时歌四首 冬歌》

English Rendering

The courier will depart next day, she's told.

She sews a warrior's gown all night.

Her fingers feel the needle cold.

How can she hold the scissors tight?

The work is done, she sends it far away.

When will it reach the town where warriors stay?

Ballads of Four Seasons: Winter by Li Bai (Li Po) -
"Ballads of Four Seasons: Winter" by Li Bai (Li Po)

Original Text (中文原文)

明朝驿使发,一夜絮征袍。

素手抽针冷,那堪把剪刀。

裁缝寄远道,几日到临洮?

Meaning & Analysis

Folk-song-styled-verse

Related Themes

Reader's Companion

The Essence of the Verse

Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.

Reading Between the Lines

Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.

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