Rain falls in the early spring
- Poetry of Zhu Shuzhen

《江城子》

English Rendering

Rain falls in the early spring,

to the wine i silently cry.

Once i plucked the pear flowers leaning on the balustrade.

Grass towards ferry,i begged you stay,

you had no word but tearfully gazed at hill.


Last night i dreamed of you between river and cloud.

How should i feel after i woke up before i was gonna touch face in dream?

Toss about in bed,i wished to dream of you again.

The night sky is easy to see but not your tender love.

Rain falls in the early spring by Zhu Shuzhen
Rain falls in the early spring by Zhu Shuzhen

Original Text (中文原文)

斜风细雨作春寒,对尊前,忆前欢。

曾把梨花,寂寞泪阑干。

芳草断烟南浦路,和别泪,看青山。

昨宵结得梦夤缘,水云间,悄无言。

争奈醒来,愁恨又依然。

展转衾裯空懊恼,天易见,见伊难。

Analysis & Context

By Zhu Shuzhen

Reader's Companion

The Essence of the Verse

Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.

Reading Between the Lines

Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.

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