The Bronze Terrace Courtesan
- Poetry of Liu Fangping
By his last decree, I serve the departed king,
Forcing a smile and makeup, my brows I darken.
Years change the color of the tomb-side trees’ spring,
Yet his favor lives on in my dancing gown’s sheen.
An air of autumn chills the jade throne now,
The Bronze Terrace glows under the sunset’s glow.
Tear stains mark the well’s rail, silent and deep,
For whom are these long, long dancing sleeves to keep?
This seven-character regulated verse by Tang poet Liu Fangping draws on a historical legend from the Wei Dynasty. It is said that Emperor Cao Pi ordered performers from the Bronze Sparrow Tower to guard the tomb of his father, Cao Cao. The figure of the "Bronze Sparrow performer" often symbolized neglected palace women or entertainers. Through this imagery, the poet depicts not only the sorrow of a once-favored consort watching over the tomb as her beauty fades but also reflects on the transience of glory and the impermanence of favor. Amid the Tang Dynasty’s extravagant social atmosphere, women with similar fates were not uncommon in the palace. This poem serves as the poet’s allegorical meditation on real life through a historical theme.
遗令奉君王，嚬蛾强一妆。
岁移陵树色，恩在舞衣香。
玉座生秋气，铜台下夕阳。
泪痕沾井干，舞袖为谁长。
- 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.