English Rendering
"Tell me, where do you live? --
Near here, by the fishing-pool?
Let's hold our boats together, let's see
If we belong in the same town."
A Song of Changgan I
- Poetry of Cui Hao
《长干行 · 其一》
Original Text (中文原文)
君家何处住，妾住在横塘。
停船暂借问，或恐是同乡。
Analysis & Context
Folk-song-styled-verse
This poem captures a brief yet vivid conversation between a young boat girl from the water tThis poem captures a brief yet vivid conversation between a young boat girl from the water towns of Jiangnan and a passing stranger. Through simple and natural dialogue set against the backdrop of an unexpected meeting on the river, the poem reveals the girl’s sincerity and warmth, painting a subtle yet charming picture of life in the southern water villages. Despite its brevity, the poem conveys genuine emotions and carries a strong sense of everyday life, vividly reflecting the simplicity and natural charm of the local people.
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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