01-17-2013, 04:03 PM
Hi everyone! I'd like to share with you a poem from one of the most famous modern chinese poets, Xu Zhimo. The title of this poem is "Chance".
I am a cloud in the sky,
A chance shadow on the wave of your heart.
Don't be surprised,
Or too elated:
In an instant I shall disappear.
We meet on the sea of night,
You on your way, I on mine.
Remember if you will,
Or, better still, forget
The light exchanged in this encounter.
Unfortunately, much of what makes the poem great is lost in translation. This poem is most likely a love poem written for a love that's not meant to be, that happened by chance. However, the imagery of the poem transcended what the poet meant it to be, becoming something of a lament on life.
The title and theme of chance, coupled with the way the whole poem is phrased make people think of all the chance encounters and experiences we all have in our lives. Be it a blissful childhood, touching friendships and even motherly love; once gone, are seldom repeated or emulated. As the poem states, it's just a chance shadow, there's no need to be surprised or feel happy about it.
One thing I think the english translation fails to carry across is the idea of direction. In the second line of the second stanza, a literal translation will be "you have yours, I have mine, direction." This serves to illustrate how everyone has their own path to walk on in life, and even if the paths intersect, it may not be forever.
It is a really popular poem, because of how light and floaty it reads and is written, and yet it exudes a depressing aura with regards to life.
Once again, in my opinion, most of what makes the poem timeless is lost in translation. The best I think can be done is to introduce a recital of the poem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upHbAylDqpo
Hopefully you like it. =)
I am a cloud in the sky,
A chance shadow on the wave of your heart.
Don't be surprised,
Or too elated:
In an instant I shall disappear.
We meet on the sea of night,
You on your way, I on mine.
Remember if you will,
Or, better still, forget
The light exchanged in this encounter.
Unfortunately, much of what makes the poem great is lost in translation. This poem is most likely a love poem written for a love that's not meant to be, that happened by chance. However, the imagery of the poem transcended what the poet meant it to be, becoming something of a lament on life.
The title and theme of chance, coupled with the way the whole poem is phrased make people think of all the chance encounters and experiences we all have in our lives. Be it a blissful childhood, touching friendships and even motherly love; once gone, are seldom repeated or emulated. As the poem states, it's just a chance shadow, there's no need to be surprised or feel happy about it.
One thing I think the english translation fails to carry across is the idea of direction. In the second line of the second stanza, a literal translation will be "you have yours, I have mine, direction." This serves to illustrate how everyone has their own path to walk on in life, and even if the paths intersect, it may not be forever.
It is a really popular poem, because of how light and floaty it reads and is written, and yet it exudes a depressing aura with regards to life.
Once again, in my opinion, most of what makes the poem timeless is lost in translation. The best I think can be done is to introduce a recital of the poem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upHbAylDqpo
Hopefully you like it. =)
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