Bamboos by South Veranda
- Poetry of Zeng Gong
Slender scholars stand in tight-ranked rows,
Their thirsty elegance defies drought's throes.
Wind's whisper cleanses worldly cares,
Rain-washed leaves sharpen distant stares.
Emerald daggers pierce moss-stained stones,
Lace shadows crack whitewashed wall's bones.
Return after all things frost has claimed—
See how jade-green flames stand refined!
Composed during the Xining era of Emperor Shenzong's reign, this work captures Zeng Gong's contemplative moments in his provincial residence. "South Veranda Bamboo" depicts a thriving cluster of emerald bamboos outside his southern window, through which the poet projects his spiritual aspirations and philosophical reflections. Renowned for his upright character, Zeng here employs the bamboo's physicality as a vessel for moral discourse, crafting a paradigm of Confucian virtue through natural imagery. The poem stands as a quintessential example of his "scenery-as-philosophy" aesthetic.
密竹娟娟数十茎，旱天萧洒有高情。
风吹已送烦心醒，雨洗还供远眼清。
新笋巧穿苔石去，碎阴微破粉墙生。
应须万物冰霜后，来看琅玕色转明。
- 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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- South of Town II
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- River Thoughts for Wang Anshi
- Bamboos by South Veranda
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