草满池塘水满陂
Grass fills the pond’s banks; water fills the pool.
山衔落日浸寒漪
Hills hold the setting sun in cool, trembling ripples.
牧童归去横牛背
The cowherd rides home sideways on his ox,
短笛无腔信口吹
Playing a short flute with no fixed tune.
What the poem means
Grass and water fill the village pond. The hills seem to hold the setting sun, reflected in ripples. A cowherd rides home playing an improvised tune on a short flute.
Meet the poet
Lei Zhen was a Song poet; little is known about his life.
Lei Zhen · More poems →