Where mist-chilled waters stretch their endless sheen,
Fine crops line roads that wind through leagues unseen.
A lone ape wails from some sea-girt shore,
Wild geese rise loud from lake-fed fields once more.
You’ve strolled through Changzhou’s gardens fair,
Recited odes with courtly flair.
Yet now you bear sealed missives south—
I know you’ll steal naps by the stream’s bright mouth.
积水与寒烟，嘉禾路几千。
孤猿啼海岛，群雁起湖田。
曾见长洲苑，尝闻大雅篇。
却将封事去，知尔爱闲眠。
This poem was composed in the mid-to-late 8th century during the Tang Dynasty, when the Jiangnan water towns enjoyed economic prosperity and cultural vibrancy, with Suzhou being one of its most representative cities. The poet Cui Tong shared a profound friendship with his friend Qiu the Twenty-Second, and upon the latter's departure for Suzhou, Cui composed this farewell poem. It depicts the scenic journey while imbuing the landscape with deep emotion, expressing reluctant parting feelings. The verses reveal the poet's understanding of his friend's official journey, his portrayal of Jiangnan scenery, and his appreciation for the pleasures of reclusive living - seamlessly blending scenery, emotion, and reflection with remarkable lyrical charm.
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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