Rippling Pavilion​​​​​​
- Poetry of Zeng Gong

《环波亭》
Rippling Pavilion​​​​​​ by Zeng Gong
English Translation

The pavilion floats on hydrologic thought,

Daily docking winecups where clouds are caught.

Willows conspire with mist's soft coup,

Lotuses race to unveil pearl-dew.


City walls extrude from mountain hues,

Wave-sounds colonize all eaves' views.

Who claims Penglai's beyond our state?

Twin counties brew fairydom in this crate.

This poem was composed by Zeng Gong during his tenure as a local official, though its exact date remains unverified, likely written during his postings in Chuzhou, Qizhou, or Fuzhou. The Pavilion of Encircling Waves (环波亭) stands as a lofty structure by the water's edge, offering panoramic views of surrounding lakes and mountains. Its serene and elegant scenery provides the perfect setting for poetic contemplation. Through depicting the pavilion's seasonal landscapes, the poem expresses the poet's appreciation for natural beauty while embodying his yearning for an ideal realm of leisurely living.

中文原文( Chinese )

水心还有拂云堆，日日应须把酒杯。

杨柳巧含烟景合，芙蓉争带露华开。

城头山色相围出，檐底波声四面来。

谁信瀛洲未归去，两州俱得小蓬莱。

- Last updated: 2025-10-05 15:35:14
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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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