To a Friend Departing for Shu
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)

《送友人入蜀》

中文原文

见说蚕丛路，崎岖不易行。

山从人面起，云傍马头生。

芳树笼秦栈，春流绕蜀城。

升沉应已定，不必问君平。

English Translation

Rugg'd is the road， I hear.

Built by the pioneer.

In front steep mountains rise;

Beside the steed cloud flies.

O'er plank-way trees hang down；

Springwater girds the town.

Decid'd our rise and fall,

Do not bother at all!

By Li Bai (Li Po)

- Last updated: 2024-03-20 14:40:42

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