To the North-flying Wild Geese
- Poetry of Qian Qi

《归雁》

To the North-flying Wild Geese by Qian Qi

English Translation

Why won't you stay on Southern River any more?

Why leave its water clear, sand bright and mossy shore?

You cannot bear the grief revealed in the moonlight

By the Princess' twenty-five strings, so you take flight.

Composed during Qian Qi's prolonged northern sojourn after assuming official post, this poem was inspired by southbound wild geese that stirred his homesickness and wanderer's melancholy. Titled "Returning Geese," it expresses nostalgic longing and reflections on life's journey through avian imagery.

中文原文( Chinese )

潇湘何事等闲回，水碧沙明两岸苔。

二十五弦弹夜月，不胜清怨却飞来。

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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.

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