小池
The Small Pond
Original
泉眼无声惜细流，
树阴照水爱晴柔。
小荷才露尖尖角，
早有蜻蜓立上头。
Translation
The spring's eye holds its silent care for the thin stream,
The tree's shade falls on the water, fond of the soft sunny glow.
The young lotus just shows its tiny pointed tip,
Already a dragonfly perches on its top.
Line by Line Analysis
About This Poem
Full English translation: The spring's eye holds its silent care for the thin stream, / The tree's shade falls on the water, fond of the soft sunny glow. / The young lotus just shows its tiny pointed tip, / Already a dragonfly perches on its top. This poem captures a tranquil, intimate summer moment by a tiny rural pond. Written when Yang Wanli retreated from political turbulence to seek solace in nature, it focuses on the delicate, unassuming beauty of the natural world. The verses weave a harmonious scene where every element—the gentle spring stream, dappled shade, budding lotus, and resting dragonfly—interacts quietly, reflecting the poet’s deep appreciation for small everyday wonders and his belief in finding peace in nature’s subtle, unhurried interactions.
About the Poet
杨万里
Yáng Wànlǐ
Yang Wanli (1127-1206) was one of the four most celebrated poets of the Southern Song Dynasty in China. He founded the distinctive 'Chengzhai Style' of poetry, renowned for its fresh, vivid imagery and sharp observation of everyday natural scenes. Rejecting the overly formal and elaborate conventions of his era, his works often center on the subtle, overlooked beauty of rural life and tiny natural wonders, earning him lasting praise for infusing ordinary moments with profound charm and quiet warmth.
Cultural & Historical Context
1. Historical Background: The Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) emerged after the fall of the Northern Song, marked by political instability and external military pressures. Many literati turned to nature poetry as a spiritual refuge from court conflicts and national crises. 2. Cultural Background: Rooted in Taoist ideals of harmony between humans and nature, traditional Chinese nature poetry emphasizes observing and empathizing with natural phenomena, viewing the mundane as a reflection of universal truth. 3. Social Background: Rural areas in the Southern Song remained relatively stable, providing a peaceful haven for poets like Yang to observe daily natural life away from urban chaos and political intrigue. 4. Personal Experience: Yang Wanli faced repeated political setbacks, leading him to spend years traveling and residing in rural regions, where he developed a keen eye for small, overlooked natural details that most people ignored. 5. Creative Purpose & Artistic Features: Yang aimed to highlight the beauty of ordinary, fleeting moments, using personification (attributing human emotions like "care" and "fondness" to the spring and tree shade) to breathe life into trivial scenes. His simple, vivid language and focus on micro-details define his signature Chengzhai Style, making the poem feel intimate and relatable, inviting readers to slow down and cherish the quiet wonders around them.