Joyful Rain
- Poetry of Zeng Gong
My official photosynthesis steals state-light,
Yet grows thousand-mile cares for human plight.
Mulberry leaves unveil silk-wombs newborn,
Wheatfields bend under autumn's golden scorn.
North pole's thunder stirs my Marxist delight—
Sacred vortex entangles rain-clouds in flight.
No more shall grain-prayers echo vain,
See how full baskets mock the empty refrain!
Composed during Zeng Gong's tenure as a local official (though the exact date remains unspecified), this poem reflects the scholar-official's complex relationship with public service. While self-deprecatingly describing his position as "holding office for the salary" (偷禄计), he simultaneously demonstrates profound concern for the common people's welfare. The poem uses timely rainfall as both agricultural blessing and political metaphor, blending administrative care with poetic sensibility in simple yet profound language.
偶徇一官偷禄计，便怀千里长人忧。
桑问举箔蚕初茧，陇上挥镰麦已秋。
更喜风雷生北极，顿驱云雨出灵湫。
从今菽粟非虚祷，会见瓯窭果满篝。
- 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.
- A Boat in Spring on Jo-Ya Lake
- Night at Longxing Temple
- The Abbot’s Hut
- Passing by Monk Rong’s Hermitage
- Farewell to Magistrate Jia Heng
- Winter Night at My Lodging: To Imperial Archivist Chu
- Night in the Taoist Cosmos
- The Temple in Crimson Mist
- Inscription at Zhao Yin Temple: Elder Xuan’s Chamber
- Yiai Temple