Moon over West River: Wind Lifts the Moon
- Poetry of Lü Benzhong
The wind lifts the moon through mist’s endless stream,
Frost-laden fog rolls back in hazy dream.
A lifetime’s cares press on my aging heart,
Beyond the sunset’s rim—I stand apart.
Dreams taunt me with roads too far to tread,
No letters come—hope’s deferred like the dead.
Two poems drowned in a cup of clouded wine,
Drunk with gold blooms by this low rail of mine.
Composed during Lü Benzhong's years of exile and political vicissitudes, this lyric embodies his melancholic introspection on life's impermanence and time's relentless passage. Written in his later years, it employs autumnal imagery of wind, moon, mist, and frost to convey philosophical contemplation—simultaneously reflecting on bygone days, lamenting the twilight of life, and expressing steadfast devotion to ideals and authentic emotions.
渺渺风吹月上，濛濛雾挟霜回。
百年心事老相催。人在夕阳落外。
有梦常嫌去远，无书可恨来迟。
一杯浊酒两篇诗。小槛黄花共醉。
- 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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- South of Town II
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- Bamboos by South Veranda
- The Condensed Incense Studio
- Ten Thousand Thoughts a Day