The Miniature Pond
- Poetry of Zeng Gong

《盆池》
The Miniature Pond by Zeng Gong
English Translation

A cosmos in concentric ripples sleeps,

Each lotus flame at fingertip-distance keeps.

Cliff-steals-sky's ancient tattoo whole,

Jade-mirror wears moss as memory's scroll.


Three autumns' stone-water romance fed,

Never betrayed my river-wanderer's thread.

Now my reflection mourns time's theft—

Snowmelt hair floods the jade hairpin left.

Composed in Zeng Gong's later years, likely during his service as a local official or retirement, this poem contemplates a scholar's courtyard pond (盆池) - a microcosm of nature that inspires profound reflections on time's passage and aging. Through this intimate landscape, Zeng reveals his serene state of mind and transcendent outlook on life's autumn years.

中文原文( Chinese )

环环清泚旱犹深，炳炳芙蓉近可寻。

苍壁巧藏天影入，翠奁微带藓良侵。

能供水石三秋兴，不负江湖万里心。

照影独怜身老去，日添华发已盈簪。

- Last updated: 2025-10-05 15:37:01
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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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