English中文
Dreaming of Jiangnan: Ash Falls from the Candlewick
兰烬落，
屏上暗红蕉。
闲梦江南梅熟日，
夜船吹笛雨萧萧。
人语驿边桥。
Ash falls from the candlewick; on the screen the red plantain dims. Idly I dream of Jiangnan when the plums ripen: a boat at night, a flute playing, the rain soughing down. Voices of people by the bridge at the post-house.
Reading notes
兰烬 is the residue of a candle; 烬落 describes falling ash. 梅熟日 is the season when plums ripen in Jiangnan. 萧萧 evokes the sound of rain. 驿 is a post station used for official travel and communications.