Leftover Inspiration
- Poetry of Zeng Gong
The oil lamp's duel with rats shadows my inkstone,
A waning moon, crows' dirge, far bugles moan.
Exiled where rivers meet—poverty's lease,
Mountains shut—yet dreams fold space to hometown's peace.
Summer anxieties breach my crimson core,
All deeds dissolve into temples' silver sore.
Who'll lend me wings to outrace homing birds?
No more delays—just the horizon's blurred words.
Composed during Zeng Gong's period of political exile and personal tribulations in southern China, this poem reveals the scholar-official's nocturnal solitude, homesickness, and lament over unfulfilled ideals. The title "Yí Xìng" (遗兴) - literally "leftover inspirations" - metaphorically represents abandoned ambitions and lingering regrets. Despite his predicament, the poem ultimately affirms Zeng's unwavering moral integrity.
青灯斗鼠窥寒砚，落月啼乌送迥笳。
江汉置身贫作客，溪山合眼梦还家。
夏忧忽忽丹心破，万事悠悠两鬓华。
谁与健帆先度鸟，更无留滞向天涯。
- 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.
- Pomegranate Blossoms at Zhang’s Lodge
- Willow Catkins Over the Pond
- Written for My Grandnephew at the Blue Pass
- South of Town I
- South of Town II
- Multi-Vista Tower at Sweet Dew Temple
- River Thoughts for Wang Anshi
- Bamboos by South Veranda
- The Condensed Incense Studio
- Ten Thousand Thoughts a Day