Summer Day At The Mountain Pavilion
- Poetry of Gao Pian

《山亭夏日》

- Last updated: 2024-06-24 12:46:06

Summer Day At The Mountain Pavilion by Gao Pian
中文原文

绿树阴浓夏日长，楼台倒影入池塘。

水精帘动微风起，满架蔷薇一院香。

English Translation

Lush green trees thickens the shade in this long summer day,

Image of the tower reflected in the pond.

Crystal beaded curtains swaying in the gentle breeze,

A full frame of roses, fragrant overflowing the entire courtyard.

Note that the crystal beaded curtains is used to metaphorically describe the crystal clear water, sparkling under the sun as the breeze makes the little waves and ripples appear glittering

The poem depicts a beautiful summer scenery, written in a way similar to how you would describe a skilful painting. And although neither the poet nor the mountain pavilion is mentioned in the poem, the poem is said to be written in a way where readers are able to picture this mountain pavilion with the leisurely figure of the poet in it.

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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.

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