Last year i sent you off in Yuhang
- Poetry of Su Shi
Last year i sent you off in Yuhang,
snow drifted like the poplar flowers.
Now the spring is gonna end,
the poplar flowers drift like snow,
but you haven't returned like you promised.
Drinking in the tavern and ask moon to join
this yearning night.Wind breezes so cold.
We're like two parting swallows,do you watch
the moon in the courtyard like i do?
Su Shi was at the age of 37 and held the post as the Governor/Magistrate of Hangzhou in 1074. It was probably during a social function where he was approached by a singer or a lady to write a letter on her behalf. Such scenario was pretty common back then when many women were illiterate.
This short poem shall fall into the category of his sentimental poetry profile, which may seem pale in comparison with his highly recognised poems in the heroic and robust style. The romantic sentiments of the young wife is rather implied under the line through symbolism rather than on the line by using words like “I miss you. ” Yet the vocabulary used is simple everyday language.
去年相送，馀杭门外，飞雪似杨花。
今年春尽，杨花似雪，犹不见还家。
对酒卷帘邀明月，风露透窗纱。
恰似姮娥怜双燕，分明照、画梁斜。
- 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.
- Song of Qiupu XV
- Song of Qiupu XIV
- Song of Qiupu XIII
- Song of Qiupu XII
- Sobering from Drunkenness in Spring Day
- Lodging with the Master of the Clear Stream
- An Impromptu Verse After Being Drunk on Tongguan Mountain
- Song of a Southern Maiden: Winter
- Staying Overnight with a Friend
- The Sick Horse