The Works of Li Qingzhao, introduction and poems 1.1 to 1.5

[x_los]

This week we're reading The Works of Li Qingzhao, freely available via De Gruyter's Library of Chinese Humanities in Mandarin and English and via several publication formats, including two open access options (the pdf appears to be better formatted than the ebook; it might be worth someone letting them know as much). We're starting with the introduction and poems 1.1 to 1.5, inclusive.

This collection uses footnotes and end notes to explicate the work (though none of this week's poems has an end note).

We might get into more English exegesis, but this week the Introduction gives us more than enough of that to be getting on with.

CLP has an episode on Li Qingzhao you might find relevant.

Comments

1.1 春殘 The End of Spring

[x_los]

春殘

春殘何事苦思鄉
病裏梳頭恨髮長。
梁燕語多終日在
薔薇風細一簾香

The End of Spring

At the end of spring, what causes me to miss my homeland so intensely?
In sickness I comb my hair, resenting how long it is.
Swallows in the rafters are full of chatter the whole day long,
a gentle breeze blows on the rose bushes, making the entire window fragrant.

Re: 1.1 春殘 The End of Spring

[x_los]

Lines one and two are poignant, but at first glance they don't seem very connected to the following two lines?

Re: 1.1 春殘 The End of Spring

[superborb]

You were not exaggerating on the wtfery of this epub. Where are the translations??? @.@

I think (and Baike seems to agree) that she's on her sickbed?