On Ascending the North Tower One Autumn Day
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)

《秋登宣城谢脁北楼》

中文原文( Chinese )

江城如画里，山晚望晴空。

两水夹明镜，双桥落彩虹。

人烟寒橘柚，秋色老梧桐。

谁念北楼上，临风怀谢公？

English Translation

The scroll-like River-town's steeped in twilight,

In view of mountains 'neath a lucid sky.

Two rivers,mingling,form a mirror bright,

Two bridges like rainbows fallen from on high.

The cottage smoke has chilled the orange flower;

The autumn hue has oldened the plane trees.

Who ever dreamed I'd come up Northern Tower

To meditate on Xie in western breeze?

By Li Bai

- Last updated: 2024-09-15 10:15:36

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