Spring Dawn
Meng Haoran · Tang
In spring one sleeps unaware of the dawn
Everywhere one hears singing birds
In the night came the sound of wind and rain
How many flowers have fallen?
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In spring, sleep is so sound one doesn't notice the dawn, Everywhere one hears birds singing. In the night came the sound of wind and rain, How many flowers have fallen?
Spring sleep is deep, the dawn unnoticed, Birdsong drifts through every open window. Wind and rain visited in the night—How many blossoms scattered at dawn?
This poem captures the essence of spring in China—a season of renewal but also of gentle melancholy. The contrast between the peaceful birdsong and the fallen flowers reflects the Chinese poetic tradition of finding beauty in impermanence. The question at the end invites contemplation about the passing of time and the ephemeral nature of beauty.
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