English Rendering
By water, countless cotton roses glow,
Dawn's rouge not yet steeped in petals' flow.
Like a tipsy belle with mirrored strife,
Reluctantly raising her makeup life.
Hibiscus Mutabilis
- Poetry of Wang Anshi
《木芙蓉》
Original Text (中文原文)
水边无数木芙蓉，露染燕脂色未浓。
正似美人初醉著，强抬青镜欲妆慵。
Analysis & Context
Composed during Wang Anshi's later years in seclusion at Zhongshan, this poem reflects his tranquil state of mind after retiring to Jiangning (modern Nanjing). His poetic style matured into refined elegance during this period. Inspired by the sight of blooming hibiscus by the water's edge during his mountain retreat, the poem draws lyrical parallels between the flower's beauty and feminine grace, creating a vivid and delicate tableau that reveals the poet's keen observation of nature's aesthetics and human charm.
Reader's Companion
The Essence of the Verse
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Reading Between the Lines
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
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- Invitation to Wine
- Question and Answer in the Mountains
- Cold sheet
- Coming Home ( Returning Home )
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