I still could smell the fragrance on your pillow
- Poetry of Nalan Xingde

《鬓云松令》

- Last updated: 2024-03-24 15:35:43

中文原文

枕函香，花径漏。

依约相逢，絮语黄昏后。

时节薄寒人病酒，铲地梨花，彻夜东风瘦。

掩银屏，垂翠袖。

何处吹箫，脉脉情微逗。

肠断月明红豆蔻，月似当时，人似当时否？

English Translation

I still could smell the fragrance on your pillow,

the spring hasn't gone in this garden.

Among the pear trees,

i seemed to see her after i got drunk.

We whispered to each other like we first met.

Now the painting screen was cold in the moonshine,

your smile hasn't gone in this garden.

Among the sweet serenade,

moon was same as the day you left,

but did you have the same feeling as mine?

By Nalan Xingde

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