Ode to the Dance
- Poetry of Yu Shinan
Melodies of "Green Water" ripple from the strings so bright,
Long sleeves twirl like a phoenix in circling flight.
A pair of dancers move as one, in rhythm's embrace,
As if reflected in a mirror's perfect grace.
This poem was composed during a grand banquet in the Tang court. Yu Shinan, a trusted official of Emperor Taizong and celebrated for his literary talent, frequently participated in such court gatherings. During this period, court music and dance flourished, with pieces like "Green Water" (《渌水》 Lù Shuǐ) and "Circling Phoenix" (《回鸾》 Huí Luán) being particularly popular for their exquisite and graceful performances. Yu Shinan wrote this piece to capture the scene, using concise yet vivid language to depict the harmony between the dancers and the music, as well as their perfectly synchronized movements, showcasing the elegant beauty of early Tang court art.
繁弦奏渌水，长袖转回鸾。
一双俱应节，还似镜中看。
- 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.