To My Friend At the Capital Secretary Pei
- Poetry of Qian Qi
Finches flash yellow through the Imperial Grove
Of the Forbidden City, pale with spring dawn;
Flowers muffle a bell in the Palace of Bliss
And rain has deepened the Dragon Lake willows;
But spring is no help to a man bewildered,
Who would be like a cloud upholding the Light of Heaven,
Yet whose poems, ten years refused, are shaming
These white hairs held by the petalled pin.
Poem translator: Kiang Kanghu
Seven-character-regular-verse
Composed during Qian Qi's early years in Chang'an while seeking official advancement, this poem was presented to the influential court official Pei Sheren in hopes of gaining recognition and recommendation. The title's "Quexia" (below palace gates) symbolizes the imperial court, while "Pei Sheren" refers to a then-senior secretary in the Central Secretariat. Though historical records of this figure are scarce, the poet regarded him as a prestigious potential patron. The work subtly expresses Qian Qi's frustration with unrecognized talent and his yearning for appreciation.
二月黄莺飞上林，春城紫禁晓阴阴。
长乐钟声花外尽，龙池柳色雨中深。
阳和不散穷途恨，霄汉长怀捧日心。
献赋十年犹未遇，羞将白发对华簪。
- 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.