Classical Chinese Poem
关雎
佚名
关关雎鸠，在河之洲。
窈窕淑女，君子好逑。
参差荇菜，左右流之。
窈窕淑女，寤寐求之。
求之不得，寤寐思服。
悠哉悠哉，辗转反侧。
参差荇菜，左右采之。
窈窕淑女，琴瑟友之。
参差荇菜，左右芼之。
窈窕淑女，钟鼓乐之。
The Cry of the Ospreys
Author: Anonymous Translator: CultureLinks
The ospreys cry in the river's isle,
A gentle maiden, a noble's delight.
The uneven waterweeds, plucked left and right,
A gentle maiden, sought day and night.
Sought but not found, in thoughts she's bound,
Oh, how the longing goes round and round.
The uneven waterweeds, picked left and right,
A gentle maiden, with music she's entwined.
The uneven waterweeds, culled left and right,
A gentle maiden, with bells and drums, she’s delighted.
葛覃
佚名
葛之覃兮，施于中谷，维叶萋萋。
黄鸟于飞，集于灌木，其鸣喈喈。
葛之覃兮，施于中谷，维叶莫莫。
是刈是濩，为絺为绤，服之无斁。
言告师氏，言告言归。
薄污我私，薄澣我衣。
害澣害否，归宁父母。
The Kudzu Vine
Author: Anonymous Translator: CultureLinks
The kudzu spreads, oh, thrives in the valley deep, its leaves lush and teeming.
Yellow birds in flight, gathering in the shrubs, their songs ringing and gleaming.
The kudzu spreads, oh, thrives in the valley wide, its leaves endless and thriving.
Cutting and boiling, weaving fine and coarse, wearing it without tiring.
Speak to the housekeeper, speak of my return.
Cleanse my inner garment, wash my outer wear.
Does it matter, does it not? Return to comfort my parents, their hearts to spare.
水调歌头
苏轼
明月几时有？
把酒问青天。
不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。
我欲乘风归去，又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。
起舞弄清影，何似在人间。
转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。
不应有恨，何事长向别时圆？
人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。
但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。
Prelude to Water Melody
Author: Su Shi Translator： CultureLinks
When does the clear moon show?
I lift my cup, to the azure sky I pose.
Not knowing the palace in the heavens, what year is this eve bestow?
I yearn to ride the wind to go, yet fear the jade towers, the high places cold blow.
Dancing to cast a pure shadow, how does it match the human tableau?
Circling the vermilion tower, lowering the silk-shrouded window, it shines on the sleepless so.
No room for regret, why always full at times of letting go?
People have joys and sorrows, meetings and partings, the moon waxes and wanes, this cycle is anciently known.
Yet, may we live long, sharing the moon's charm, even when a thousand miles alone.
枫桥夜泊
张继
月落乌啼霜满天，
江枫渔火对愁眠。
姑苏城外寒山寺，
夜半钟声到客船。
Night Mooring at Maple Bridge
Author: Zhang Ji Translator: CultureLinks
As the moon falls and crows cry, frost claims the sky,
Maple trees by the river and fisher's lights reflect my sleepless sigh.
Outside Suzhou city lies the Cold Mountain Temple,
At midnight, the bell tolls, reaching the guest's vessel.
Contemporary Chinese Poem
再别康桥
徐志摩
轻轻的我走了，正如我轻轻的来；
我轻轻的招手，作别西天的云彩。
那河畔的金柳，是夕阳中的新娘；
波光里的艳影，在我的心头荡漾。
软泥上的青荇，油油的在水底招摇；
在康河的柔波里，我甘心做一条水草！
那榆荫下的一潭，不是清泉，是天上虹；
揉碎在浮藻间，沉淀着彩虹似的梦。
寻梦？撑一支长篙，向青草更青处漫溯；
满载一船星辉，在星辉斑斓里放歌。
但我不能放歌，悄悄是别离的笙箫；
夏虫也为我沉默，沉默是今晚的康桥！
悄悄的我走了，正如我悄悄的来；
我挥一挥衣袖，不带走一片云彩
Adieu, Cambridge Once More
Author: Xu Zhimo Translator: CultureLinks
Softly I depart, as softly I arrived;
I gently bid farewell, to the western sky's clouded hive.
Golden willows by the river's side, are the sunset's glowing bride;
Their shimmering reflections in the ripples, sway within my heart, inside.
The verdant reeds in the gentle mud, sway softly under the water's flow;
In the tender waves of the Cam, I'd willingly be a water plant, to grow!
That pool beneath the elm tree's shade, is not a spring, but a rainbow from above;
Crushed amidst the drifting algae, settling down like a dream of love.
Chasing dreams? Paddle a long pole, towards the grass of greener hue;
Fill a boat with starlight, and sing beneath the starlight's view.
But I cannot sing, silent is the flute of parting's tune;
The summer insects hush for me, silent is the Cambridge moon!
Quietly I depart, as quietly I arrived in this town;
I wave my sleeve, not taking with me a single cloud's down.
一棵开花的树
席慕容
如何让你遇见我
在我最美丽的时刻
为这
我已在佛前求了五百年
求佛让我们结一段尘缘
佛於是把我化做一棵树
长在你必经的路旁
阳光下
慎重地开满了花
朵朵都是我前世的盼望
当你走近
请你细听
那颤抖的叶
是我等待的热情
而当你终於无视地走过
在你身後落了一地的
朋友啊
那不是花瓣
那是我凋零的心
A Blossoming Tree
Author: Xi Murong Translator: CultureLinks
How might I arrange our fated meet,
In my moment of utmost sweet?
For this,
I've beseeched the Buddha, five centuries long,
Pleading for a bond, neither frail nor strong.
Thus, the Buddha transformed me into a tree,
Rooted on the path where you would be.
Under the sun's radiant glow,
I bloomed with caution, slow,
Each blossom, a longing from my past life's flow.
As you draw near,
Please lend your ear,
The quivering leaves you hear,
Are my fervent passion, clear.
Yet, when you walk past, unaware,
Leaving behind a carpet of fallen, bare,
My friend,
Those aren't petals scattered there,
But fragments of my heart, laid bare.