Passing the Ridge
- Poetry of Su Shi

《过岭》

中文原文( Chinese )

七年来往我何堪，又试曹溪一勺甘。

梦里似曾迁海外，醉中不觉到江南。

波生濯足鸣空涧，雾绕征衣滴翠岚。

谁遣山鸡忽惊起，半岩花雨落毵毵。

English Translation

How could I bear journeys to and fro for seven years!

Again I taste sweet water in the Crooked Stream.

With drunken eyes I see the Southern land appears;

My exile by the seaside seems but like a dream.

Waves roaring in the gully can still wash my feet;

Mist dripping like green drops moistens a wayfarer's frock.

As I pass by,a pheasant startled flies so fleet

That flowers fall in showers over half the rock.

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- Last updated: 2024-03-23 14:31:11

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