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- Poetry of Zhou Bangyan

《浣溪沙·翠葆参差竹径成》

- Last updated: 2024-04-12 09:24:54

中文原文

翠葆参差竹径成，新荷跳雨泪珠倾。

曲阑斜转小池亭。

风约帘衣归燕急，水摇扇影戏鱼惊。

柳梢残日弄微晴。

English Translation

Bamboos over the lane form a canopy green;

On new lotus leaves raindrops leap and pound like tears.

By zigzag railings a poolside pavilion appears.

Swallows come back in haste when wind rolls window-screen;

Fish start when the fan's shadow in water sways.

The setting sun on willow lips sheds parting rays.

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