So much sorrow
- Poetry of Qin Guan

《减字木兰花》

By Qin Guan

English Translation

So much sorrow in my heart,

no one has taken care about.

Do you know how sad i am?

Incense in the night twines this little orchid.

Frown all day after you left,

even the spring also make me flight.

Lean on the high attic,look those wild geese,

they honk and fly showing the trace of my heartbreak.

中文原文( Chinese )

天涯旧恨。

独自凄凉人不问。

欲见回肠。

断尽金炉小篆香。

黛蛾长敛。

任是春风吹不展。

困倚危楼。

过尽飞鸿字字愁。

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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