Poetry | Ancient poems | Modern Poem
we apply simplified characters instead of English translation for the lyrics

The symbolic Chinese characters themselves, are the most creative form of art, emphasizing distinct shapes or sounds, with each one possessing a highly unique design and rhythm. Every language has its own inner music. Reading a traditional Chinese poem is an excellent form of enjoyment, and one can sing to the tones and rhymes, empathize with the various heartfelt emotions, be inspired by the powerful philosophy, or grasp the historical background. Click to listen to the recital of two Chinese poems that present sentiments of romance and post-war emotions respectively.

Ancient Chinese poems are rhymed. Many of them are composed of lines of four-characters, five-characters or seven-characters. Later another form developed, Ci, whereby new lyrics made to fit with pre-existing tunes. Each tune has a "Tune Name". Gradually, it evolved into the curent modern style.

Modern poems do not follow any prescribed pattern, writers can freely express feelings without too much concern of its fit to tunes. However, some still prefer to follow the style with end-rhymes on running lines. These lines could be of irregular lengths.