Spring Lament
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)
A white horse with golden bridle, east by the Liaohai Sea;
Behind silken curtains, beneath an embroidered quilt, she lies in the spring wind.
The setting moon lowers by the eaves, peers through as the candle gutters;
Falling flowers drift past the door, laughing at the empty bed.
This poem stands as a luminous pearl among Li Bai's "boudoir lament" verses, renowned for its exquisite contrasts and singular imagination. It captures with precision a specific psychological moment (the fading of a spring night) in a longing woman's experience. Through powerfully juxtaposed imagery and personification, the poet transforms intangible longing into palpable visual impact, showcasing Li Bai's exceptional skill in depicting subtle emotions.
白马金羁辽海东，罗帷绣被卧春风。
落月低轩窥烛尽，飞花入户笑床空。
- Why Chinese poems is so special?
- The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.
- How to read a Chinese poem?
- Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.
- The Trader’s Joy
- Seeking the Hermitage of the Reverend Yong
- Dedicated to Yuan Danqiu’s Mountain Home
- The Temple on the Summit
- The orchid
- After Rain at the River Crossing
- Dawn Visit to Yu Pool with Hermit Xie
- To Censors Li and Yuan, with a Message for Wu Wuling
- On Hearing of the Imperial Plowing Ceremony
- Summer Nap