舟(zhōu)夜(yè)书(shū)所(suǒ)见(jiàn)

查(chá)慎(shèn)行(xínɡ)〔清(qīnɡ)代(dài)〕

月(yuè)黑(hēi)见(jiàn)渔(yú)灯(dēnɡ),

孤(ɡū)光(ɡuānɡ)一(yì)点(diǎn)萤(yínɡ)。

微(wēi)微(wēi)风(fēnɡ)簇(cù)浪(lànɡ),

散(sàn)作(zuò)满(mǎn)河(hé)星(xīnɡ)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

On a dark, moonless night, a solitary fishing light flickers on the river like a firefly.

A gentle breeze blows, creating ripples on the water’s surface. The light dots scatter with the waves, resembling a river full of stars.

Annotations

孤光 (Gū guāng)：A solitary light.

簇 (Cù)：To gather, cluster.

Creation Background

The specific creation time of this poem is unknown. It was written by the poet when he spent the night on a boat, describing the scenes he saw, hence the title “Written on a Boat at Night.”