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- Poetry of Wang Anshi

《归庵》

English Translation

Paddy fields stash jade-green floods,

Pine boughs shake off mud's last bloods.

Limping up slopes to my lone bed—

Noon crows peck dreams half-dead.

This poem was composed during Wang Anshi's retreat to Zhongshan after resigning as chancellor. Residing in Jiangning (modern Nanjing), he devoted himself to reading and self-cultivation at the Eastern Hermitage, embracing a life of simplicity amidst mountain forests. Capturing scenes and reflections during his return to the hermitage, the poem depicts rural summer landscapes at farming season, interweaving the tranquility of his retired life into a serene and far-reaching recluse's tableau.

中文原文( Chinese )

稻畦藏水绿秧齐，松鬣初乾尚有泥。

纵蹇寻冈归独卧，东庵残梦午时鸡。

Pre： Zhongshan Impromptu

Next：The Northern Hills

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.

Back to the Thatched Hut - Poetry of Wang Anshi

Back to the Thatched Hut
- Poetry of Wang Anshi