Poetry Buds · 听古诗

OPEN POETRY LIBRARY · S01 / 067

An Early-Summer Visit to Zhang’s Garden

初夏游张园 · Dai Fugu · Song dynasty

乳rǔ鸭yā池chí塘táng水shuǐ浅qiǎn深shēn

Ducklings swim where the pond is deep and shallow;

熟shú梅méi天tiān气qì半bàn阴yīn晴qíng

In plum-ripening weather, half cloudy, half clear.

东dōng园yuán载zài酒jiǔ西xī园yuán醉zuì

We carry wine east and drink in the western garden,

摘zhāi尽jìn枇pí杷pá一yí树shù金jīn

Picking a whole tree of loquats, golden as gold.

What the poem means

Ducklings swim in a pond of varying depth under a partly cloudy early-summer sky. The garden is rich with ripe golden loquats. Focus with children on the birds, weather and fruit rather than the adults' wine.

Meet the poet

Dai Fugu was a Song poet. Ducklings, changeable skies and ripe fruit fill this garden.

Dai Fugu · More poems →