Poet Gallery (I): Li Yu / Li Shangyin

2008/1/5 10:09:09

For those poisoned by vernacular Chinese, regulated verse has so-called shackles. But where are the shackles in regulated verse? This ID sees only freedom. Starting today, this ID will use seven-character regulated verse to paint portraits of the world's poets whom this ID has deemed worthy since ancient times, assembling a gallery of poets. This gallery must proceed slowly — first, let us welcome Li Yu and Li Shangyin.

Li Yu

Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán

Alone ascending the west tower, the moon half-curved
The distant homeland separated by a thousand mountains
An era of desolation in the age of war
Eternal elegance in the world of love
Splendid verses tangled in a hundred knots
Hazy, dreamlike scenes locked behind layered passes
Your sorrow runs just like the spring river's waters
Since ancient times, swirling into the jade-green bay

Li Shangyin

Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán

Pearl-like tears fall unbidden on the lute strings
White hair cannot turn back toward the evening sky
Since ancient times, love runs deep — one emerald tree
The vast sky's dream grows cold — whose night is this?
Turned to ash, the candle's heart still burns purple
After rain, the spirit banner's blood shines brighter
The weary half-sun beyond layered ridges
Across the desolate wild, a lone wisp of smoke stands still