On the Lake (Riverside Town)
- Poetry of Su Shi

《江城子·湖上》
On the Lake (Riverside Town) by Su Shi
中文原文( Chinese )

凤凰山下雨初晴，水风清，晚霞明。

一朵芙蕖，开过尚盈盈。

何处飞来双白鹭，如有意，慕娉婷。

忽闻江上弄哀筝，苦含情，遣谁听！

烟敛云收，依约是湘灵。

欲待曲终寻问取，人不见，数峰青。

English Translation

It turns fine after rain below the Phoenix Hill,

Waves and wind light,

Rainbow clouds bright.

A lotus flower past full bloom beams with smile still.

Where comes in flight 

A pair of egrets white 

As if inclined to care 

For maidens fair.


Suddenly on the stream music comes to the ear.

Who would not hear 

Such feeling drear?

Away clouds and mist clear;

The Spirit of River Xiang seems to appear.

When music ends,I would inquire for the lutist dear.

She seems to disappear,

Only leaving peaks clear.

By Su Shi

- Last updated: 2024-03-23 17:13:35
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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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