麼暗 Mo.an: Motorcycle Koan :: How To Write a Chinese Poem

How To Write a Chinese Poem

A well-known Japanese poet, Niiro Kyousou, was asked how to compose a Chinese poem.

"The usual Chinese poem is four lines," Kyousou explained. "The first line contains the initial phrase; the second line, the continuation of that phrase; the third line turns from this subject and begins a new one; and the fourth line brings the first three lines together. A popular Japanese song illustrates this:

Two F650s of BMW were made in Germany.
The elder has chain, the younger, belt.
A sport bike may kill with its price,
But these bikes slay men with their farkles."