In late spring grows the orchid good,
How luxuriant are its leaves green!
Alone it adorns empty wood
With red blooms and violet stems lean.
Slowly, slowly shortens the day;
Rippling, rippling blows autumn breeze.
By the year's end it fades away.
What has become of it fragrance, please?
兰若生春夏，芊蔚何青青！
幽独空林色，朱蕤冒紫茎。
迟迟白日晚，嫋嫋秋风生。
岁华尽摇落，芳意竟何成？
This is the second poem written by Chen Zi'ang, with the main theme of lamenting the life and times and politics. The poem compares itself with the orchid grass Du Ruo, and sends out the personal feeling of the life and times.
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.
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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