Reeds
- Poetry of Pre-Qin Poetry

《蒹葭》
#20220629sky

English Rendering

Green green reeds by the river,

dew turns the frost in the autumn.

Where's my dreamlike lover?

Other side of the river in the evening.


Long long way in the river,

row upstream to look for her.

She's in the centre of the river,

when i have arrived the other shore.


Misty misty reeds by the river,

dew sings to linnet in the rain.

Where's my dreamlike lover?

Other side of the river in the evening.


Long long way in the river,

row upstream to look for her.

She's in the centre of the river,

when i have arrived the other shoal.


White white reeds by the river,

dew lowers her head in the morning.

Where's my dreamlike lover?

Other side of the river in the evening.


Long long way in the river,

row upstream to look for her.

She's in the centre of the river,

when i have arrived the other bank.

Reeds by Pre-Qin Poetry #20220629sky
Reeds by Pre-Qin Poetry #20220629sky

Original Text (中文原文)

蒹葭苍苍,白露为霜。所谓伊人,在水一方。溯洄从之,道阻且长。

溯游从之,宛在水中央。

蒹葭萋萋,白露未晞。所谓伊人,在水之湄。溯洄从之,道阻且跻。

溯游从之,宛在水中坻。

蒹葭采采,白露未已。所谓伊人,在水之涘。溯洄从之,道阻且右。

溯游从之,宛在水中沚。

Analysis & Context

By Anonymous

Reader's Companion

The Essence of the Verse

Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.

Reading Between the Lines

Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.

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