Prelude to Water Melody: Bows and Swords Venture Beyond the Pass
- Poetry of Liu Guo
Bows and swords march beyond Elm Pass,
Ink and books climb Penglai’s peak.
Gain comes effortless as loss—
Both are but a passing whim.
Not all ancients were so wise,
Nor are moderns all astray—
Worldly affairs are but a monkey’s game.
This old man cares not for distinctions—
Between inner, outer, or in-between.
Drink when there’s wine,
Write when verse calls,
But never pluck the sword’s lament.
Life is for joy—
Why hasten the greying of hair?
Prosperity brings banners and gold armor,
Poverty means a lame donkey and torn hat—
See them not as opposites.
Such is the way of the world—
Owls and phoenixes will be known in time.
Composed in Liu Guo's later years during the Southern Song's political conservatism, this ci emerges from the intensifying conflict between war and peace factions, with pacifists firmly controlling court politics and repeatedly thwarting advocates for northern campaigns. Though never holding official position, Liu's unfulfilled ambitions and patriotic fervor simmer beneath the surface, channeled into this work that combines seemingly detached reflections on the illusory nature of fame with penetrating critiques of oppressive reality—forming his most authentic spiritual portrait in his twilight years.
弓剑出榆塞，铅椠上蓬山。
得之浑不费力，失亦匹如闲。
未必古人皆是，未必今人俱错，世事沐猴冠。
老子不分别，内外与中间。
酒须饮，诗可作，铗休弹。
人生行乐，何自催得鬓毛斑。
达则牙旗金甲，穷则蹇驴破帽，莫作两般看。
世事只如此，自有识鴞鸾。
- 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.
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