Sighing over Fallen Flowers
- Poetry of Du Mu

《叹花》

- Last updated: 2024-03-28 20:02:40

Sighing over Fallen Flowers by Du Mu
中文原文

自恨寻芳到已迟，往年曾见未开时。

如今风摆花狼籍，绿叶成阴子满枝。

English Translation

I regret to be late to seek for blooming spring;

The flowers not in full bloom in years past I’ve seen.

The strong wind blows down flowers which sway and swing,

The tree will be laden with red fruit and leaves green.

It was said that the poet met with a beautiful maiden and asked for her hand, but next year when he came she was married, so he compares the maiden to a tree with fruit.

It was said that the poet met with a beautiful maiden and asked for her hand, but next year when he came she was married, so he compares the maiden to a tree with fruit.

This poem uses the technique of “comparison” throughout, which is vivid, subtle and natural, and intriguing.

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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.

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