An Impromptu Verse Written in Exile
- Poetry of Su Shi

《纵笔》

- Last updated: 2024-01-10 17:04:26

中文原文

白头萧散满霜风，小阁藤床寄病容。

报道先生春睡美，道人轻打五更钟。

English Translation

Dishevelled white hair flows in the wind like frost spread,

In my small study I lie ill in a wicker bed.

Knowing that I am sleeping a sweet sleep in spring,

The Taoist priest takes care morning bells softly ring.

The poet was exiled farther south for the 3rd line.

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