My horse loves the sandy edge along the river
- Poetry of Su Shi

《浣溪沙·软草平莎过雨新》
My horse loves the sandy edge along the river by Su Shi
中文原文( Chinese )

软草平莎过雨新，轻沙走马路无尘。

何时收拾耦耕身？

日暖桑麻光似泼，风来蒿艾气如薰。

使君元是此中人。

English Translation

My horse loves the sandy edge along the river.

Where the grasses and sedges are fresh after rain.

A dormant heart hears a yearning call for return

To plough the fields of hometown together again.

 

A sea of wormwood and crown daisy in sweet scent,

A land of hemp and mulberry trees in summer glint.

Life’s made easy-breezy working with countrymen.

This mayor used to be a farmhand just like them.

This poem painted a pastoral setting, vividly touched with personified details on the subject and the relation between man and nature. The enduring appeal of a country life has been waving to Dongpo ever since his service in the Royal Court, especially so after he was sent to jail in his late 40s. He was not alone in this. It was a popular vibe lingering among the gentlemen who had used to be farmers in the country before settling in the cities.  His love for the land is further explored with his yearning to return with his brother back to a simple country life in their hometown Meizhou, Sichuan. In the second stanza, the theme is enhanced with a happy image of his life among the people he governed with love. Su Shi has been indeed always remembered as a great leader of the people.

- Last updated: 2024-10-02 16:31:01
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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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