Autumn in the Capital
- Poetry of Du Mu

《长安秋望》

English Translation

The tower overlooks frosty trees;

Speckless is the mirror-like sky.

The South Mountain and autumn breeze;

Vie to be more sublime and high.

This poem is a small piece by the late Tang poet Du Mu, focused on depicting a scenic autumn landscape. Although the exact year of composition is uncertain, it is generally believed to have been written in the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (850), during Du Mu’s later years when he resided in Chang’an. The poem captures the grandeur and clarity of the autumn scenery of Chang’an, observed from a lofty tower with views of the South Mountain and the crisp autumn sky.

中文原文( Chinese )

楼倚霜树外，镜天无一毫。

南山与秋色，气势两相高。

Pre： On the Ah Fang Palace

Next：To the Early Wild Geese

Why Chinese poems is so special?: The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.

How to read a Chinese poem?: Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

Autumn in the Capital - Poetry of Du Mu

Autumn in the Capital
- Poetry of Du Mu