Written for a Friend (Wandering Youth)
- Poetry of Su Shi

《少年游·代人寄远》
Written for a Friend (Wandering Youth) by Su Shi
English Translation

Last year we bade adieu

Outside the town;

Snow flew like willow down.

This year spring dies,

Like snow willow down flies,

But I can't come back to see you.


The screen uprolled, to wine I invite the moon bright;

Through the window the breeze brings in dew.

The Moon Goddess seems to care

For the swallows in pair.

She sheds her light

Into their dream on painted beam.

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.

中文原文( Chinese )

去年相送，余杭门外，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。

- Last updated: 2025-05-01 10:37:35
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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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