The river remembers... A modern Chinese free verse poem

 

Modern Chinese Poetry: A Window to the Soul of Contemporary Expression

Modern Chinese poetry (xiandai shi, 现代诗) emerged as a distinct genre in the early 20th century, breaking away from the rigid tonal rules and structured forms of classical poetry. Influenced by Western literary movements such as Romanticism, Symbolism, and Modernism, contemporary Chinese poets began embracing free verse, allowing for more personal, fluid, and experimental expressions of thought.

Unlike the highly structured shi or ci poetry of ancient dynasties, modern Chinese poetry often delves into themes of existence, identity, nature, loss, love, and social change, using vivid imagery, metaphor, and introspective narration. It prioritizes emotional resonance over strict poetic forms, making it accessible yet profound.

Below is a modern Chinese poem in English, reflecting the universality of human experience. The poem explores the search for meaning and belonging, a theme that transcends cultures and time.

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The River Remembers

The river is not the same river I knew.
Its waters, restless and unsure,
Have carried away the footprints of yesterday.
Yet, when I kneel and touch its skin,
It sings to me the names of those who stood before.

I ask it, Where do we go when we leave?
The river laughs in ripples and says:
"Nowhere, everywhere. You are already flowing."

The sky stretches vast, a mirror of longing,
A canvas where birds draw invisible maps.
I reach out—
Only to find the wind slipping through my fingers,
A lesson in holding without grasping.

The old man in the tea house whispers:
"Time is a cup that empties itself."
I sip slowly,
Trying to taste the echoes of my own name.

Mountains kneel in the distance,
Their spines curved in silent prayers,
Worn by the weight of centuries.
Do they remember the first hands
That traced their rugged skin?

Somewhere, a mother hums a song
That was never written, yet never forgotten.
A child laughs,
His voice a lantern in the dusk.

And I—
I stand between the past and the horizon,
A traveler with no map,
A poet without a rhyme,
A river without a shore.

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Join the Conversation

Modern Chinese poetry invites us to reflect, to question, and to feel deeply. It is a genre that embraces the fluidity of life, much like a river that never truly stops flowing.

What thoughts or emotions did this poem stir in you?
Have you ever felt like a river—moving, yet never truly leaving?

I’d love to hear your reflections. Leave a comment and let’s discuss!