采(cǎi)莲(lián)曲(qǔ)

王(wánɡ)昌(chānɡ)龄(línɡ)〔唐(tánɡ)代(dài)〕

荷(hé)叶(yè)罗(luó)裙(qún)一(yì)色(sè)裁(cái),

芙(fú)蓉(rónɡ)向(xiànɡ)脸(liǎn)两(liǎnɡ)边(biān)开(kāi)。

乱(luàn)入(rù)池(chí)中(zhōnɡ)看(kàn)不(bú)见(jiàn),

闻(wén)歌(ɡē)始(shǐ)觉(jué)有(yǒu)人(rén)来(lái)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

The green silk skirt of the lotus-picking maiden blends into the lush lotus leaves, seeming monochromatic. Her face is obscured among the blooming lotus flowers, mutually reflecting each other.

She disappears into the lotus pond, and only when her singing arises can it be perceived that someone has come.

Annotations

一色裁（yī sè cái）：Cut from the same colored fabric.
芙蓉（fú róng）：Lotus flower.
乱入（luàn rù）：Mixed in, intruded.
看不见（kàn bù jiàn）：Meaning it’s indistinguishable between the lotus’ green leaves and red flowers, and the maiden’s green skirt and red face.
闻歌（wén gē）：Hearing the song.
始觉（shǐ jué）：Only then realizing.

Creation Background

This poem was written by Wang Changling when he was exiled to Longbiao, probably in the summer of AD 748 (the seventh year of the Tianbao period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty). According to the story, Wang Changling had been serving as the chief of Longbiao for some time.

One day, Wang Changling was playing alone outside the city of Longbiao. In the lotus pond of Dongxi, he saw the local chieftain’s princess, the aborigine girl Aduo, picking lotus flowers and singing, which deeply fascinated him, and he wrote “Picking Lotus Flowers.”