The Moon on the West River-To the Fairy of Mume Flower
- Poetry of Su Shi

《西江月·梅花》
The Moon on the West River-To the Fairy of Mume Flower by Su Shi
English Translation

Your bones of jade defy miasmal death;

Your flesh of snow exhales immortal breath.

The sea sprite among flowers often sends to you 

A golden-eyed,green-feathered cockatoo.


Powder would spoil your face;

Your lips need no rouge cream.

As high as morning cloud you rise with grace;

With pear flower you won't share your dream.

This is an elegy on a remarkable life, that of a 22-year-old woman known as Zhaoyun. Born in the enchanting city of Hangzhou, she embarked on her social journey as a talented singer and dancer at the tender age of 12. Historical records reveal her deep admiration for the renowned poet Su Shi, which led her to become his concubine at just 14 years old. Throughout her life, Zhaoyun faced numerous challenges. Twice she was asked to stay behind, rather than accompany Su Shi into exile. Yet, with unwavering resolve, she smiled each time, embodying an enduring spirit that shone brightly even in the face of adversity. Her life in Huizhou was fraught with hardship; the barren landscape and miasmic climate contributed to a struggle for survival. Unfortunately, the poor living conditions took a toll on her health, leading to her contracting malaria, a common affliction in that region. Tragically, she was only 34 when she was liberated from all earthly suffering, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and grace.


中文原文( Chinese )

玉骨那愁瘴雾,冰姿自有仙风。

海仙时遣探芳丛,倒挂绿毛幺凤。

素面翻嫌粉涴,洗妆不褪唇红。

高情已逐晓云空,不与梨花同梦。

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.

© CN-Poetry.com Chinese Poems in English