毕竟西湖六月中
After all, West Lake in the sixth month
风光不与四时同
Has scenery unlike the other seasons.
接天莲叶无穷碧
Lotus leaves meet the sky in endless green;
映日荷花别样红
Sunlit lotus flowers glow an uncommon red.
What the poem means
West Lake in summer has its own special beauty. Lotus leaves stretch into endless green, and sunlight makes the blossoms especially vivid. The poem expresses delight through expansive language.
Meet the poet
Yang Wanli was a Song poet who found lively details in plants, birds and small changes in nature.
Yang Wanli · More poems →