七言绝句 Seven-Character Quatrain
七言绝句，简称七绝，有四句，每句七个字。一、三句不求押韵，二、四句要必须押韵。
古典诗词中，七绝占有特殊的地位。只有二十八个字。写大一些可用于少字数、对联或大字作品。缩小些可用于中楷、小楷，故练好七绝创作应用至为广泛。
又七言绝句可唱读，可被之于管弦入乐 （民歌大多为七言）。 实际生活中，也有大的用场。故在诗歌创作中，大量产生。就唐诗作品而论，七绝作品约占全部作品的二分之一左右，数量大且存在大量脍炙人口的佳作，且书写时字数又少，故在创作中便捷，成为应酬的最佳选择。
基于此，每一位书法家都应将七言绝句的书写作为他们的得心应手的作品形式。
七言绝句 or 七绝, is also known as the “Seven-Character Quatrain”. This calligraphy style consists of four sentences, with seven characters in each sentence: the first and third sentences do not ask for rhyme, but the second and fourth sentences must rhyme.
Below are some examples calligraphed by Su Demao.
Do take note that in Chinese Calligraphy, words are read from right to left.
春有百花秋有月，
夏有凉风冬有雪。
若无闲事挂心头，
便是人间好时节。
释慧开诗
In spring, the world is lush with countless blooms, In autumn, the moon shines bright.
Summer breezes soothe the spirit, while winter graces us with snow.
If one's heart is free from worry, burden, or strife,
Every season is a good season, graced with beauty and life.
Poet: Shi Huikai
The poem celebrates the beauty and diversity of the natural world across the four seasons, emphasizing that each season has its own unique charm. However, the final line suggests that the key to enjoying life is not just about the external environment, but also about one's internal state of mind. If one can free oneself from unnecessary worries and anxieties, every season can be a happy and fulfilling time.
肠断春江欲尽头，
杖黎徐步立芳洲。
癫狂柳絮随风舞，
轻薄桃花逐水流。
杜甫漫兴一首
In springtime, nearing the end of the river, my heart wretches in pain.
In crutches, I walk slowly to stand at a fragrant shore.
The crazed willow fluff takes to the breeze, with such abandon, as the wild wind decrees,
While peach blossoms so light and short-lived, drift away by the current, out to sea.
Poet: Du Fu
The poem captures a sense of melancholy as the poet contemplates his life journey at the end of his time, not being appreciated for his talent.
The dancing willow fluff and drifting peach blossoms are figurative to officials who have no ability or substance, only to be ousted by the flow of time.
日照香炉生紫烟,
遥看瀑布挂前川。
飞流直下三千尺，
疑是银河落九天.
李白望庐山瀑布
The sun shines on the peak of mountain Lu and purple smoke rises,
In the distance, a waterfall hangs as if there is a river just upfront.
The flying water falls straight down from three thousand feet,
looking as though the Milky Way has tumbled from the nine heavens.
Poet: Libai
The poem describes the awe-inspiring beauty of the waterfall at Lushan, a mountain in Jiangxi province, China. The imagery of the sun shining on the mountain is figuratively referenced as a censer, and the purple smoke rising creates a dreamy and mystical atmosphere. The phrase "疑是银河落九天" (it looks as though the Milky Way has fallen from the nine heavens) adds a sense of grandeur and cosmic scale to the scene. The poem captures the wonder and admiration that Li Bai felt in the presence of such natural beauty.
自古逢秋悲寂寥，
我言秋日胜春潮。
晴空一鹤排云上，
便引诗情到碧霄。
山明水净夜来霜，
数树深红出浅黄。
试上高楼清入骨，
岂如春色嗾人狂。
刘禹锡秋词二首
Since ancient times, autumn brings sorrowful solitude,
I say autumn days exceed those of spring in amplitude.
A crane soars through the clear skies, as high as the clouds, my poetic mood soars to azure heights.
The mountain is clear, the water pristine, with frost at night,
A few tree leaves in deep red peek out from the background of light yellow
Ascend a tall tower, the autumn chill cleanses to the bone,
Unlike the frenzy brought on by the hues of spring alone.
Poet: Liu Yuxi
The poems convey Liu Yuxi's love for the autumn season and his belief that autumn has a special beauty that surpasses that of spring. In the first poem, he sees a crane flying against the clear autumn sky, which inspires him to write poetry that takes him to the "azure heights." In the second poem, he describes the frost on the mountains and the changing colors of the trees. He climbs a high building to appreciate the beauty of autumn even more and contrasts it with the beauty of spring.
