Visiting Alone the Temple of Auspicious Fortune on Winter Solstice
- Poetry of Su Shi

《冬至日独游吉祥寺》

- Last updated: 2024-03-23 17:19:44

中文原文

井底微阳回未回，

萧萧寒雨湿枯菱。

何人更似苏夫子：

不是花时肯独来。

English Translation

In the depth of the well warmth has not yet come back,

Showers of cold rain have wetted withered grass root.

No one would come to visit the Temple for there lack Flowers in full bloom, but alone I come on foot.

1072

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