Autumn Report to Wang Anshi
- Poetry of Zeng Gong
Autumn's tyranny swells absolute,
Night-insects deploy their sonar pursuit.
Smoke-strangled trees amputate streams,
Storm-fronts occupy mountain regimes.
Dunes preserve barbarian scars,
Banner-fossils march beyond the stars.
While people's suffering never halts,
We scholars blush to discuss assaults.
Composed during the late reign of Emperor Renzong or early reign of Emperor Yingzong, this reflective poem was written by Zeng Gong during his provincial service while corresponding with Wang Anshi (courtesy name Jiefu 介甫). At this historical juncture, the Northern Song faced persistent border conflicts, with intense debates between war and peace factions at court. Both reformers, though not yet initiating their political campaigns, shared concerns about civilian hardships amidst military struggles. The poem uses autumn imagery to convey anxiety over protracted warfare and its toll on the people.
秋日气已盛，阴虫朝暮声。
烟云断溪树，风雨入山城。
沙碛有遗虏，旌旗多远行。
生民苦未息，吾党耻论兵。
- 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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- The Condensed Incense Studio
- Ten Thousand Thoughts a Day