已讶衾枕冷
I am surprised: my quilt and pillow feel cold;
复见窗户明
Then I see how bright the window looks.
夜深知雪重
Deep in the night I know the snow is heavy,
时闻折竹声
From time to time I hear bamboo snap.
What the poem means
Cold bedding, a bright-looking window and the sound of bamboo breaking under snow reveal a heavy snowfall. The poet describes snow through touch, light and sound rather than simply announcing it.
Meet the poet
Bai Juyi was a Tang poet whose clear language often explores everyday life and human feeling.
Bai Juyi · More poems →