Hidden under leaves shaped like green jade
- Poetry of Li Qingzhao

《摊破浣溪沙·揉破黄金万点轻》
Hidden under leaves shaped like green jade by Li Qingzhao
中文原文( Chinese )

揉破黄金万点轻，剪成碧玉叶层层。

风度精神如彦辅，大鲜明。

梅蕊重重何俗甚，丁香千结苦麄生。

熏透愁人千里梦，却无情。

English Translation

Hidden under leaves shaped as green jade

are spotted blossoms like golden sun rays.

Unworldly as Yanfu, the man of honest grace,

she is also a mirror of her soul and pure taste.


Plum trees shy away for the cluttered filaments,

so are the tacky lilacs arrayed in tiered blossoms.

Yet this fragrance, so sensible, kills the romance,

and fumigate my sweet dream beyond reasons.

- to the tune of Tanpo Huanxisha

This poem could be written by Li Qingzhao as agreed by most scholars. The last sentence could be an indication of the composing time being after she settled in Lin’an where her only hope of returning home is in her dream.

- Last updated: 2024-12-05 21:23:33
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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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