You came to the world on this day of Qiufen
- Poetry of Li Qingzhao

《新荷叶·薄露初零》
You came to the world on this day of Qiufen by Li Qingzhao
中文原文( Chinese )

薄露初零，长宵共、永昼分停。

绕水楼台，高耸万丈蓬瀛。

芝兰为寿，相辉映、簪笏盈庭。

花柔玉净，捧觞别有娉婷。


鹤瘦松青，精神与、秋月争明。

德行文章，素驰日下声名。

东山高蹈，虽卿相、不足为荣。

安石须起，要苏天下苍生。 

English Translation

You came to the world on this day of Qiufen

when day and night share the same length.

and the first dews in a year start to appear

by streams winding to mansions and pavilions here, -

a live vision of the fairyland, Penglai Islands.

Amid the gifts like Ganoderma and boat orchards,

and guests with jeweled hairpins and tablet scepters,

the hall is served by girls in silk like floating angels.


I wish to bless you live long as crane and pine

and your spirit illuminating like the autumn moon.

So well-received in the capital are your articles

on morality and integrity, so crucial for our officials.

The recluse in Mount East named Anshi, I recall,

returned stronger than those in Royal Court.

Would you answer the call of the Song like a hero

leaving this fairyland to save the shaking world?!

-  to the tune of ‘New Lotus Leaves’

This ci poem was composed in 1108 when Li Qingzhao was 25 years old and was enjoying the happiest period of her married life, in Qingzhou. It could be a celebration of Chao Buzhi’s birthday which is in autumn. Chao, one of the four followers of Su Dongpo, was living in seclusion then, a time of political turmoil when the New Law was implemented and the old party (Yuanyou Party), on the other side, went out of favor of the Throne. These were still influential people who chose either to retire to live a secluded life or to be sent to a minor post far away from the Court. Su Dongpo, as the leader was despatched to a place as far as the Emperor could find in the Song map, ‘the edge of the world, Hainan Island. At the time of this birthday celebration, Dongpo was dead 7 years ago, and Chao went away two years after this day. The political fight had been fierce like fire and water.  

- Last updated: 2024-12-05 21:05:51
· Pre： Spring God is about to leave the Song capital
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

© 2024 CN-Poetry.com Chinese Poems in English