We just haven't a chance to be together
- Poetry of Jiang Kui

《鬲溪梅令》

- Last updated: 2024-03-19 15:24:23

中文原文

好花不与殢香人。

浪粼粼。

又恐春风归去绿成阴。

玉钿何处寻。

木兰双桨梦中云。

小横陈。

漫向孤山山下觅盈盈。

翠禽啼一春。

English Translation

We just haven't a chance to be together,

with the dances of waves,spring wind comes here.

Cherry trees,green grass,what a beautiful world it is,

listen to the whisper of love,i just feel the heartbreak.

I wanna oar on the river of dream with you,

with the dances of souls,spring mist comes here.

Cherry trees,green grass,what a beautiful world it is,

drop off the whisper of love,i still feel the heartbreak.

By Jiang Kui

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.

List of Chinese poets