<Drunk with Soul Lost> Leaving the Riverside Town
- Poetry of Su Shi

《醉落魄离京口作》
<Drunk with Soul Lost> Leaving the Riverside Town by Su Shi
中文原文( Chinese )

轻云微月，

二更酒醒船初发。

孤城回望苍烟合。

记得歌时，

不记归时节。

巾偏扇坠藤床滑，

觉来幽梦无人说。

此生飘荡何时歇？

家在西南，

常作东南别。

English Translation

The crescent moon veiled by cloud light

I wake from wine when my boat sets sail at midnight.

Turning my head toward the mist-veiled lonely town,

I only remember the farewell song,

But not when from the wine shop I got down


Hood wry, fan dropped, I slipped from wicker bed.

Whom can I tell the dreary dream Id read?

When from this floating life may I take rest?

My hometown in southwest,

Why doI of tin southeast bid adieu as guest?

By Su Shi

- Last updated: 2024-03-23 17:09:37
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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.

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