所(suǒ)见(jiàn)

袁(yuán)枚(méi)〔清(qīnɡ)代(dài)〕

牧(mù)童(tónɡ)骑(qí)黄(huánɡ)牛(niú),

歌(ɡē)声(shēnɡ)振(zhèn)林(lín)樾(yuè)。

意(yì)欲(yù)捕(bǔ)鸣(mínɡ)蝉(chán),

忽(hū)然(rán)闭(bì)口(kǒu)立(lì)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

A shepherd boy rides on the back of a yellow cow, with his loud singing echoing through the woods.

The shepherd boy probably wanted to catch the chirping cicada and suddenly stopped singing, standing silently.

Annotations

牧童 (Mù tóng)：Refers to a child who herds cattle.

振 (Zhèn)：To vibrate, echo. Indicates that the shepherd boy’s song is loud and clear.

林樾 (Lín yuè)：Refers to trees shading the roadside.

欲 (Yù)：To want.

捕 (Bǔ)：To catch.

鸣 (Míng)：To chirp.

立 (Lì)：To stand.

Creation Background

After resigning his official position, Yuan Mei lived in Jiangning as an expatriate. One day, on his journey, he happened to see an interesting scene that triggered his poetic inspiration, and he wrote this poem.