A Cicada
- Poetry of Li Shangyin

《蝉》

English Translation

Pure of heart and therefore hungry,

All night long you have sung in vain --

Oh, this final broken indrawn breath

Among the green indifferent trees!

Yes, I have gone like a piece of driftwood,

I have let my garden fill with weeds....

I bless you for your true advice

To live as pure a life as yours.

Poem translator:Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)

Five-character-regular-verse

This poem was written in the 11th year of the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (857) during the Tang dynasty. Li Shangyin, recommended by Liu Zhongying, was appointed as the Salt and Iron Commissioner and traveled to Jiangdong. During his time in Jiangdong, Li Shangyin wrote a series of historical poems, often using history as a mirror to satirize the corruption in the society and politics of his time, especially criticizing the king’s indulgence in luxury and debauchery that led to the ruin of the country.

中文原文( Chinese )

本以高难饱，徒劳恨费声。

五更疏欲断，一树碧无情。

薄宦梗犹泛，故园芜已平。

烦君最相警，我亦举家清。

Pre： The Han Monument

Next：Wind and Rain

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.

A Cicada - Poetry of Li Shangyin

A Cicada
- Poetry of Li Shangyin