The Taoist Temple Revisited
- Poetry of Liu Yuxi
In half of the wide courtyard only mosses grow;
Peach blossoms all fallen, only rape-flowers blow.
Where is the Taoist planting peach trees in this place?
I come after I fell again into disgrace.
This poem was composed in the second year of the Dahe era (828) during Emperor Wenzong's reign, as a continuation of Liu Yuxi’s earlier work dedicated to his friends who appreciated flowers. Previously, Liu Yuxi had been demoted for his satirical poem "Peach Blossoms at the Xuandu Temple," which targeted those in power. After fourteen years of exile, he was recalled to the capital and revisited the Xuandu Temple, only to find its former grandeur replaced by desolation. This poem reflects his profound feelings on the passage of time and his continued defiance of the powerful individuals who once oppressed him.
百亩庭中半是苔，桃花净尽菜花开。
种桃道士归何处，前度刘郎今又来。
- 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.