Where is Those Willow Catkins
- Poetry of Nalan Xingde

《临江仙·寒柳》

中文原文

飞絮飞花何处是，层冰积雪摧残，疏疏一树五更寒。

爱他明月好，憔悴也相关。

最是繁丝摇落后，转教人忆春山。

湔裙梦断续应难。西风多少恨，吹不散眉弯。

English Translation

Where is those willow catkins?

buried by the snow day by day.

Lonely tree stands here seems to wait

for someone,she doesn't appear,

only the moonshine sprinkles.

At the moment fall willow catkins,

remember i that beautiful lassie.

Back to the dream where i and her trysted

have thought our love will be forever,

now only the west wind whistles.

By Nalan Xingde

- Last updated: 2024-03-24 15:45:50

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