The Lakeside Temple at Dawn
- Poetry of Yang Wanli

《晓出净慈寺送林子方》

- Last updated: 2024-04-12 14:25:44

中文原文

毕竟西湖六月中，风光不与四时同。

接天莲叶无穷碧，映日荷花别样红。

English Translation

The uncommon West Lake in the midst of sixth moon

Displays a scenery to other months unknown.

Green lotus leaves outspread as far as boundless sky;

Pink lotus blossoms take from sunshine a new dye.

By Yang Wanli

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