Wang Anshi: About Plum Blossoms 王安石：梅花

Wang Anshi (1021 – 1086) was a Chinese economist, statesman, and poet of the Song Dynasty。

His poem "Plum Blossoms" is widely written by calligraphers. In the corner of the courtyard stands a plum tree with only a few branches. The poem does not elaborately describe its attractive blossoms but focus upon its spirit. Braving the hard cold and the icy snow it won’t assert itself publicly nor vie with other kinds of flowers for beauty. Instead, it retains its white and purity like winter snow. Defying the piercing cold, it blossoms in solitude, stealthily giving off a faint perfume. While truly depicting the shape, color and scent of the plum tree, the poet implicity celebrates the pristine and noble quality of plum trees.

Plum Blossoms 
Some plum blossoms in the corner of wall appear; 
They strive to bloom alone in the cold severe.
We know from far that they are not snow white:
For their faint fragrance comes still and quiet.

王安石（1021- 1086）是宋代经济学家、政治家与诗人。他的诗“梅花”为书法家所喜爱。这首小诗意味深远，而语句又十分朴素自然，没有丝毫雕琢的痕迹。在古人吟唱梅花的诗中，有一首相当著名，那就是在作者之前，北宋诗人林逋的《山园小梅》。

　　

尤其是诗中“疏影横斜水清浅，暗香浮动月黄昏”两句，更被赞为咏梅的绝唱。林逋这人一辈子不做官，也不娶妻生子，一个人住在西湖畔孤山山坡上种梅养鹤，过着隐居的生活。所以他的咏梅诗，表现的不过是脱离社会现实自命清高的思想。

　　

作者此诗则不同，他巧妙地借用了林逋的诗句，却能推陈出新。你看他写的梅花，洁白如雪，长在墙角但毫不自卑，远远地散发着清香。诗人通过对梅花不畏严寒的高洁品性的赞赏，用雪喻梅的冰清玉洁，又用“暗香”点出梅胜于雪，说明坚强高洁的人格所具有的伟大的魅力。

　　

作者在北宋极端复杂和艰难的局势下，积极改革，而得不到支持，其孤独心态和艰难处境，与梅花自然有共通的地方。

孙晓云

张旭光

田英章