Bai Juyi
Series: Ancient Poems about Flowers
Cherish peony flowers
There are only two red peonies left in front of the melancholy stage.
I think all the flowers should be blown away when the wind blows tomorrow morning. At night, I pity these weak but red flowers and take a torch to see the peony.
To annotate ...
Disappointment: sadness, depression, depression.
Step: step.
Residual: withered.
Ming Dynasty: Tomorrow.
Fade: wither, wither.
Red: refers to peony flowers.
Ignition: Hold the torch.
translate
Looking gloomily at the red peony in front of the steps, as night falls, only two residual flowers are still blooming. It is expected that all the flowers will be blown away when the wind blows tomorrow morning. At night, I cherish the withered peony, which is becoming more and more red and as charming as fire.
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In the blooming flower season, the peony flower, which is known as the national beauty and fragrance, always blooms late. When the peony occupies the spring scenery, the spring flower incident will come to an end. Affectionate poets of past dynasties have always enjoyed the theme of hurting spring and cherishing flowers. Bai Juyi's poem "Cherish Peony Flowers" is unique among countless poems that cherish flowers. People don't know how to cherish until the flowers fall. This poem is not normal, but I think of the day when flowers bloom and fall, and the fragrance disappears. With the fresh concept of "lighting flowers with fire", it shows infinite pity for peony and expresses the deep affection that years pass and youth is hard to stay.
Although the whole poem is only four short sentences, it is full of ups and downs in style and profound in meaning. The first sentence comes straight to the point and points out the meaning of the problem: "the red peony in front of the melancholy stage." At the touch of a hair, the poet's melancholy, the elegance of the courtyard, and the red peony are vivid. The word "melancholy" suddenly sounded, causing the illusion that peony flowers seemed to have failed, and immediately introduced readers into the melancholy atmosphere of loving flowers. However, in the second sentence, the meaning changed: "Only two branches are left late." It is emphasized that only two branches will fail at night, and readers will know that the peony flowers in the yard are still in full bloom. The tone of "only" and "two branches" is affirmative, and the figures are exact, which shows that the poet appreciates flowers carefully. Only by counting all the branches carefully can he come to such an accurate conclusion, and only by being so meticulous can he see how much the poet cherishes flowers. These two sentences are natural and simple, without carving, and only ups and downs are used to create a freehand effect. Through the psychological description of cherishing flowers, the poet's lingering affection under the dusk flowers is meaningful.
Since there are only two peonies in the yard, there seems to be no need to be so disappointed. However, at a critical time, it is still two branches. The poet saw the news that spring would return from two residual flowers, and his worry was not unnecessary. "The wind of the Ming Dynasty is going to blow out", and the tone has changed again, further writing the feelings of cherishing flowers from imagination. It may not be windy in the Ming dynasty, and the word "should" also shows that this is just the poet's worry. However, the weather is unpredictable, and the flowers that have been in full bloom will be destroyed by wind and rain at any time. Once the wind rises, "loneliness turns to red rain and the clothes are scattered with the wind", and that kind of desolation really makes the poet feel incomparable. However, even if poets love flowers in every way, they can't stop the return of spring, let alone the sudden wind and rain. The ancients said, "The days are short and the nights are long. Why not travel by candlelight? (Nineteen Ancient Poems) Then, getting up at night to see flowers before they are blown out by the wind is equivalent to prolonging their life. More importantly, under the flickering fire, the dying peony becomes more and more red and charming. The beautiful and sad scene has its own taste that you can't appreciate during the day. After several twists and turns in the whole poem, the poet's fascination with flowers has been fully expressed. As for the poet's mood after the flowers are broken, it is not difficult for readers to understand.
As soon as Bai Juyi's poem came out, it aroused the imitation of later generations. Li Shangyin's "Drunk under the Flowers" said: "When guests wake up late at night, they even hold red candles to enjoy the residual flowers. The sadness of putting a banquet in the withered flowers is more beautiful and subtle than Bai Juyi's poems, and the mood is more beautiful and confused. In Su Shi's works, the flowers opposite the high candle are as charming and lazy as the beauty with thick makeup: "I am afraid of falling asleep at night, so I burn the high candle and wear red makeup." "(Begonia) cherishes the sadness of flowers and melts into the poet's elegant and funny feelings. These two poems have always been highly praised by people, but the artistic success of later generations is due to capturing the essence of previous ideas. Therefore, when readers are intoxicated with the beautiful artistic conception created by Li Shangyin and Su Shi, don't forget Bai Juyi's contribution to illuminating future generations' thoughts with candlelight.