How Many Tears (Gazing at the South)
- Poetry of Li Yu

《望江南(其二)》

English Translation

How many tears

Criss-cross your cheeks and run across your face!

Don't try to speak when worry makes you weep,

Nor play the flute when it will bring your tears,

Or surely then your heart will break.

By Li Yu

中文原文( Chinese )

多少泪，断脸复横颐。

心事莫将和泪说，凤笙休向泪时吹，肠断更无疑。

- Last updated: 2025-06-07 07:59:24

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