Tune: The Moon over the West River
- Poetry of Su Shi

《西江月·世事一场大梦》

中文原文

世事一场大梦，人生几度秋凉？

夜来风叶已鸣廊，看取眉头鬓上。

酒贱常愁客少，月明多被云妨。

中秋谁与共孤光，把琖凄然北望。

English Translation

Like dreams pass world affairs untold,

How many autumns in our life are cold!

My corridor is loud with wind-blown leaves at night.

See my brows frown and hair turn white!

Of my poor wine few guests are proud;

The bright moon is oft veiled in cloud.

Who would enjoy with me the mid-autumn moon lonely?

Winecup in hand, northward I look only.

By Su Shi

- Last updated: 2024-07-16 10:39:01

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