Watching the Tidal Bore (Auspicious Partridge)
- Poetry of Su Shi

《瑞鹧鸪·观潮》

中文原文( Chinese )

碧山影里小红旗。

侬是江南踏浪儿。

拍手欲嘲山简醉，齐声争唱浪婆词。

西兴渡口帆初落、渔浦山头日未欹。

侬欲送潮歌底曲，尊前还唱使君诗。

English Translation

In the shade of blue hills small red flags undulate,

You are sons of the Southerners treading waves green.

Clapping your hands,you laugh at the drunk magistrate;

In unison,you vie to sing “Goddess Marine”.

Sails have just lowered down in the Ferry Xixing;

Atop Yupu hills the sun begins to decline.

If you want to see the tide fall,what will you sing?

It's your magistrate's song before a cup of wine.

By Su Shi

- Last updated: 2024-03-23 17:11:38

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