South of Town I
- Poetry of Zeng Gong

《城南二首 · 其一》

English Translation

Rain spills the pond over its rim,

Through jagged peaks—paths east-west swim.

Peach blossoms' blush-gone without trace,

Only emerald grass fills the space.

Composed in 1077 during Zeng Gong's tenure as prefect of Fuzhou, this work captures the coastal southeast's lush springscape after rain. The poem contrasts peonies' fleeting glamour with grass's enduring verdure, embodying Zeng's philosophical stance that values substance over spectacle. Written during an excursion to Fuzhou's southern suburbs, it reflects his signature blend of quiet observation and metaphysical depth.

中文原文( Chinese )

雨过横塘水满堤，乱山高下路东西。

一番桃李花开尽，惟有青青草色齐。

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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.

Famous Chinese Poems

South of Town I - Poetry of Zeng Gong

South of Town I
- Poetry of Zeng Gong