The rain drizzles in that morning
- Poetry of Zhou Bangyan

《少年游》

- Last updated: 2024-03-17 18:49:54

中文原文

朝云漠漠散轻丝。

楼阁淡春姿。

柳泣花啼，九街泥重，门外燕飞迟。

而今丽日明金屋，春色在桃枝。

不似当时，小桥冲雨，幽恨两人知。

English Translation

The rain drizzled in that morning,

the spring hasn't come to my attic.

Rose and willow leaves cried for no reason,

a small swallow flew slowly in the rain.

Now sunshine paints my boudoir,

spring sleeps on the twig of peach tree.

On the bridge i stand silently listening to the rain

that day we were so happy to be tied in loving chain.

By Zhou Bangyan

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.

List of Chinese poets