Partridge in the Sky: An Autumn Sighting at Tiao Creek
- Poetry of Jiang Kui
A peerless belle from the capital,
Why drift like willow down to this creek shore?
Silken slippers peep from her raven socks—
A nymph from misty waves, nothing more.
Red lips may smile,
But dark brows ever frown.
With whom will she share this lonely spring?
Unused to sleeping without her mate,
She melts into a wisp of cloud
Above the western tower at evening.
Composed in the autumn of 1183 during Emperor Xiaozong's reign, this ci poem was inspired by Jiang Kui's encounter with a courtesan by Tiaoxi Creek (modern Huzhou, Zhejiang). Struck by her tragic fate and wandering existence, the poet poured out profound empathy—a sentiment deepened by his own frustrations as a perpetual examination candidate and lifelong commoner, as well as by memories of a poignant past romance. More than mere observation, the work channels personal sorrow into a universal meditation on beauty and transience.
京洛风流绝代人。因何风絮落溪津。
笼鞋浅出鸦头袜，知是凌波缥缈身。
红乍笑，绿长嚬。与谁同度可怜春。
鸳鸯独宿何曾惯，化作西楼一缕云。
- 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.
- Seven Poems on Kaiyuan Era: Dancing Horses
- Midnight Song of the Four Seasons: Summer
- In Reply to Pimei’s Poem Written During Illness
- Ten Odes on Tea Utensils: Tea Vale White Lotus
- Spring Thoughts II
- The Arcane Celadon of Yue Kiln
- Lodging by Riverside Tower
- Along the River for Flowers Alone I
- The Cottage by the Stream
- The Lotus-Gathering Song