English Rendering
The flute played on "Mume Blossoms" on Northern Frontier,
"The Laurel Branch" to Southern River shore was dear.
They were sung in the former dynasties for long.
Now listen to my newly composed "Willow Song".
Willow Branch Song I
- Poetry of Liu Yuxi
《杨柳枝词九首 · 其一》
Original Text (中文原文)
塞北梅花羌笛吹，淮南桂树小山词。
请君莫奏前朝曲，听唱新翻杨柳枝。
Analysis & Context
"杨柳枝词" is one of the works Liu Yuxi composed later in life in response to Bai Juyi’s poetry, part of a set of nine poems. This first poem marks a shift in Liu Yuxi’s literary creativity. By drawing upon the classical yuefu (folk song) traditions, especially works like "梅花落" and "招隐士," Liu Yuxi expresses his innovative literary concepts, emphasizing creation over mere imitation. This poem, connected to Bai Juyi's "杨柳枝," demonstrates the interaction between the two great literary figures and their shared spirit of literary innovation.
Reader's Companion
The Essence of the Verse
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Reading Between the Lines
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
- Gazing at Lake Dongting
- Waves Sifting Sand I
- Willow Branch Song
- Willow Branch Song I
- The Taoist Temple Revisited
- The Flower-admirers
- The Summit Temple
- <Prelude to Water Melody> Sent to Ziyou on Mid-autumn Festival
- Invitation to Wine
- Question and Answer in the Mountains
- Cold sheet
- Coming Home ( Returning Home )
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