此词是作者贬谪黄州期间，因读北宋诗人石延年《红梅》一诗有感而作。这首词紧扣红梅既艳如桃杏又冷若冰霜、傲然挺立的独特品格，抒发了自己达观超脱的襟怀和不愿随波逐流的傲骨。全词托物咏志，物我交融，浑然无迹，清旷灵隽，含蓄蕴籍，堪称咏物词中之佳作。

《红梅》 苏轼

怕愁贪睡独开迟，自恐冰容不入时。
故作小红桃杏色，尚馀孤瘦雪霜姿。
寒心未肯随春态，酒晕无端上玉肌。
诗老不知梅格在，更看绿叶与青枝。

The Red Plum
Su Shi

Carefree and indolent it blossoms late
But fearful lest cold beauty find no favor
Rouges its cheeks like peach or apricot,
Yet still remains its chill, austere aloofness.
The cold at heart to follow the ways of the spring,
Its petals translucent at jade seem flushed with wine;
But the old poet, knowing nothing of the plum's nature,
Looks still for green leaves and verdant boughs.