Birthday poem · February 24Rain Water, the 2nd solar term: snow gives way to rain.
Birth character
清 qīng · clear, pure
清 combines 水 "water" with 青 as a sound element; it means clear water, or pure.
問渠那得清如許
“I ask how it can stay so clear and clean” — Zhu Xi, ‘Thoughts on Reading’
The poem
“Early Spring East of the City” 城東早春
- 詩家清景在新春The poet's clear scenery lies in the new spring,
- 綠柳纔黃半未匀when green willows have just turned yellow, not yet even.
- 若待上林花似錦If you wait until the imperial park is bright as brocade,
- 出門俱是看花人everyone out of doors will be a flower-viewer.
Why this poem
Yang Juyuan: the first yellow of the willows is the poet's favourite sight.
This day in the Chinese calendar
Solar term: Rain Water.