Yingchun yue
- Poetry of Liu Yong

《迎春乐》

中文原文( Chinese )

近来憔悴人惊怪。

为别后、相思煞。

我前生、负你愁烦债。

便苦恁难开解。

良夜永、牵情无计奈。

锦被里、馀香犹在。

怎得依前灯下，恣意怜娇态。

English Translation

People are shocked that I recently look like a wreck.

It’s because I have missed you so awfully since we parted.

From some earlier life of mine

I owe you a debt of misery.

Suffering so, and unable to get free.

As the fine night lasts on,

I have no way to keep from thoughts of love.

Within the brocade covers your lingering scent still stays.

How can I ever in lamplight as before

dote on your charming shape as much as I please?

By Liu Yong

- Last updated: 2024-06-27 14:39:59

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