六月二十七日望湖楼醉书
Drunk Writings at Wanghu Pavilion on the 27th Day of the Sixth Lunar Month
Original
黑云翻墨未遮山，
白雨跳珠乱入船。
卷地风来忽吹散，
望湖楼下水如天。
Translation
Black clouds, like overturned ink, have not yet covered the hills,
White raindrops, leaping pearls, tumble wildly into the boat.
A wind sweeps across the ground, suddenly scattering them all,
Beneath Wanghu Pavilion, the water is as smooth as the sky.
Line by Line Analysis
About This Poem
This vivid poem captures a dramatic summer rainstorm and its swift passing over West Lake, composed in 1072 when Su Shi served as assistant magistrate in Hangzhou. The verses unfold a fast-paced, dynamic scene: ink-dark clouds roll in yet fail to obscure the green hills, raindrops like bouncing pearls crash into the poet’s boat, a fierce ground wind abruptly disperses the storm, and the lake below Wanghu Pavilion mirrors the clear, vast sky. Through this depiction of nature’s transience, the poem conveys Su’s carefree, optimistic spirit, as he revels in the unexpected beauty of shifting weather while drunk, blending human whimsy with the raw power of the natural world.
About the Poet
苏轼
Sū Shì
Su Shi (1037–1101), a towering literatus of the Northern Song Dynasty, was one of the 'Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties'. A versatile genius excelling in poetry, calligraphy, painting and politics, he founded the bold and unconstrained school of Song poetry. His works blend grand, unrestrained sentiments with subtle, lyrical observations, reflecting his deep concern for people’s livelihood and unyielding optimism amid political setbacks.
Cultural & Historical Context
1. Historical Background: The Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127) saw intense political strife between Wang Anshi’s reformists and conservative officials, creating a tense environment where literati often faced exile or local postings to avoid court conflicts. 2. Cultural Background: West Lake was a core hub for Song Dynasty literati activities; pavilions like Wanghu Pavilion were venues for poetry composition, wine-tasting and artistic exchanges, embodying the scholar-officials’ pursuit of aesthetic and spiritual fulfillment. 3. Social Background: Hangzhou was a thriving commercial and cultural center, where West Lake’s natural scenery offered a universal retreat from urban bustle, beloved by both elites and common citizens. 4. Personal Experience: In 1071, Su Shi voluntarily requested a local post in Hangzhou after opposing Wang Anshi’s reforms, distancing himself from court turmoil and finding solace in West Lake’s beauty and local life. 5. Creative Purpose & Artistic Features: Written in intoxication, the poem aims to immortalize the fleeting, dramatic beauty of a summer storm. It uses striking metaphors (clouds as overturned ink, raindrops as leaping pearls) and rapid, rhythmic lines to mirror the storm’s sudden onset and dissipation, blending dynamic chaos with serene calm to reflect Su’s free-spirited, observational style that merges personal emotion with natural spectacle.