English Rendering
A tree of million branches sways in breeze of spring,
More tender, more soft than golden silk string by string.
But in west corner of a garden in decay,
Who would come to admire its beauty all the day?
Song of Willow Branch
- Poetry of Bai Juyi
《杨柳枝词》
Original Text (中文原文)
一树春风千万枝，嫩于金色软于丝。
永丰西角荒园里，尽日无人属阿谁？
Analysis & Context
This poem was written during the late Tang dynasty, a time when factional struggles were intense, and many talented individuals were often sidelined or forgotten. Although Bai Juyi had once been an official in the imperial court, political rivalries prevented him from gaining the recognition he deserved in his career. In this poem, the poet uses the image of a weeping willow to metaphorically express his feelings about his own circumstances and the frustration of seeing talent go unrecognized in society. In reality, it serves as a critique of the talent selection system and the government officials of the time.
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.
- Yiai Temple
- Early Spring
- The Zither
- On Qiantang Lake in Spring
- Spring View in Hangzhou
- Song of Willow Branch
- The Summit Temple
- <Prelude to Water Melody> Sent to Ziyou on Mid-autumn Festival
- Invitation to Wine
- Question and Answer in the Mountains
- Cold sheet
- Coming Home ( Returning Home )
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