Double Seven Night
- Poetry of Zheng Xie

《七夕》

中文原文( Chinese )

其一

天上人间尽苦辛，飞桥斜度水粼粼。

一年一会多离隔，好把牛郎觑得真。

其二

漏尽星飞顷别离，细将长夜说相思。

明年又有新愁恨，不得重提旧怨词。

English Translation

The two worlds are drudging away,

And the magpie’s bridge arched over the ripply waves

Will be a quarantine the whole year except this day

Of the cowherd to get clearer views.

The night is waning for a hollow parting,

Seize the livelong night to tell stories yearning.

Sufficient for the next year is the evil thereof,

And let sink the woes that would freeze over.

By Zheng Xie

- Last updated: 2024-06-26 10:52:09

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