There is Only One
- Poetry of Li Shangyin

《为有》

English Translation

There is only one Carved-Cloud, exquisite always-

Yet she dreads the spring, blowing cold in the palace,

When her husband, a Knight of the Golden Tortoise,

Will leave her sweet bed, to be early at court.

Seven-character-quatrain

This boudoir plaint poem from ancient China portrays the emotional desolation of an official's wife neglected due to her husband's political engagements. While such themes were common in classical poetry, this work subtly critiques society's obsession with status and wealth. Viewed through the poet's circumstances, it serves as both feminine lament and socio-political satire.

中文原文( Chinese )

为有云屏无限娇，凤城寒尽怕春宵。

无端嫁得金龟婿，辜负香衾事早朝。

Pre： A Message to Secretary Linghu

Next：The Sui Palace

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.

There is Only One - Poetry of Li Shangyin

There is Only One
- Poetry of Li Shangyin