The first two sentences of "Miscellaneous Odes of Living on the Lake" exaggerate the atmosphere: the wind is pleasant and the moon is pale, the bright lake is like a mirror, and the cloud scenery is long, it is an ethereal and clear realm. "Miscellaneous Odes of Living on the Lake" is a representative work of the Southern Song Dynasty poet Jiang Kui. The poet wrote about lotus leaves and green reeds without coloring, reflecting the desolation of his mood.
"Miscellaneous Odes of Living on the Lake"
Song Dynasty·Jiang Kui
The garden walls are curved with willows, and there is a light in the sky on the quiet mountain.
The lotus leaves are fragrant like clouds, and the boat is swaying into Xiling.
Translation
The wall in the garden is twisting and turning, the willow trees are dim and looming in the night, the people are quiet and the mountains are empty, and the light of a solitary lamp shines through the small window.
The lotus leaves in the pond were filled like clouds and sent bursts of fragrance. A small boat swayed and rode towards Xiaoshan in the night.
Appreciation
The first two sentences of the poem exaggerate the ethereal, clear and quiet atmosphere, and the third sentence describes the characteristics of the lush and fragrant lotus, which is very beautiful. The night is as cold as water, with the west wind, fallen leaves, the mournful chirping of insects and birds, and all kinds of desolate sounds ringing in the night sky, evoking the various tangled feelings in the poet's heart, mixed with the bitterness of being trapped in the rivers and lakes. The lotus leaves and green reeds are written without color, reflecting the desolation of the mood.