双飞燕子几时回
When did the paired swallows return?
夹岸桃花蘸水开
Peach blossoms dip toward water along both banks.
春雨断桥人不度
Spring rain has flooded the bridge; no one can cross,
小舟撑出柳阴来
Then a little boat comes out from willow shade.
What the poem means
Swallows return and peach blossoms seem to dip into the water. Spring rain has flooded the bridge. Just when crossing seems impossible, a small boat emerges from willow shade.
Meet the poet
Xu Fu was a Song poet. A boat brings a new possibility to this spring scene.
Xu Fu · More poems →