Tune to Arrays Breaking
- Poetry of Yan Shu

《破阵子·春景》

中文原文( Chinese )

燕子来时新社，梨花落后清明。

池上碧苔三四点，叶底黄鹂一两声，日长飞絮轻。

巧笑东邻女伴，采桑径里逢迎。

疑怪昨宵春梦好，元是今朝斗草赢，笑从双脸生。

English Translation

When swallows come, Spring Rites hail.

As pear blooms fade, Pure Brights wail.

The pool grows mosses tinged green.

The leaves hide orioles that keen.

Days longer, catkins soft flying.

Smiling east vill girls greeting

on th’ mulberry picking way.

A nice dream they had last night?

They won th’ “Name Herbs” game today!

Smiles on the cheeks growing just bright.

By Yan Shu

- Last updated: 2024-06-27 14:36:51

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