风(fēnɡ)

李(lǐ)峤(qiáo)〔唐(tánɡ)代(dài)〕

解(jiě)落(luò)三(sān)秋(qiū)叶(yè)，

能(nénɡ)开(kāi)二(èr)月(yuè)花(huā)。

过(ɡuò)江(jiānɡ)千(qiān)尺(chǐ)浪(lànɡ)，

入(rù)竹(zhú)万(wàn)竿(ɡān)斜(xié)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

The wind can scatter autumn’s leaves, and also bloom the beautiful flowers of spring.
When it sweeps across the river, it can raise towering waves a thousand feet high; when it blows through the bamboo forest, it can cause ten thousand bamboo stalks to lean.

Annotations

  • 解落: To scatter, disperse. Jie: To untie, here means to blow.
  • 三秋: Autumn. Some say it refers to the ninth lunar month.
  • 能: To be able to. Er Yue: The second lunar month, referring to spring.
  • 过: To pass over.
  • 斜: To lean.

Creative Background

The exact year of composition of this poem is uncertain. Some believe that Li Qiao, Su Weidao, and Du Shenyan went hiking on Mount Lufeng together in spring, where the scenery was beautiful and lush.

Upon reaching the peak, a gentle breeze blew, inspiring Li Qiao, who then recited this poem off the cuff.