Touring Shanxi Village
- Poetry of Lu You

《游山西村》

- Last updated: 2024-02-17 16:59:55

中文原文

莫笑农家腊酒浑，丰年留客足鸡豚。

山重水复疑无路，柳暗花明又一村。

箫鼓追随春社近，衣冠简朴古风存。

从今若许闲乘月，拄杖无时夜叩门。

English Translation

Laugh not that the wine, placed on the altar by farming families at the end of Lunar New Year, is cloudy.

There are plenty of chickens and suckling pigs for the guests at the end of an abundant year.

Over numerous mountains and streams, I had my doubts that I could find the road.

Then out of the shade of the willows, came bright flowers and another village.

The sound of flutes and drums grow stronger as I approach the springtime commune.

Their clothing is plain, preserving an ancient quality.

And now, I am able to relax in all of this moonlight,

I will walk with my cane, and knock on every door throughout the night.

By LU YOU

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