The Works of Li Qingzhao, Ci Poems 3.1 - 3.8

[x_los]

This week we start working with Li Qingzhao’s ci poetry. As usual, the book is 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). We're reading the poems 3.1 through 3.8 inclusive.

This collection uses footnotes and endnotes to explicate the work. There are three endnotes for this week’s group of poems, but these aren’t very rich in exegesis.

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

Comments

3.7

[x_los]

菩薩蠻

風柔日薄春猶早。
夾衫乍著心情好。
睡起覺微寒。
梅花鬢上殘。
故鄉何處是。
忘了除非醉。
沉水臥時燒。
香消酒未消。

To the tune “Bodhisattva Barbarian”

The wind delicate, the sun pale—it’s still early spring. I wore a lined jacket, my heart at ease.
Now arising from sleep, I feel a chill in the air.
The plum blossom in my hair has withered.
My homeland, where is it?
I can’t forget unless I’ve been drinking. Aloeswood incense smoldered as I lay down.
The fragrance has dissipated, the wine has not.

Re: 3.7

[x_los]

“Bodhisattva Barbarian” uh, metal??

“Aloeswood incense” do people make incense out of aloe tree wood?

“the wine has not.” Always with the drinking until you’re still drunk when you wake up, how strong was this shit?

Re: 3.7

[pengwern]

I guess when you’re drowning your sorrows about your fallen homeland in alcohol.....probably necessariy
it’s the agarwood perfume as usual!

Re: 3.7

[superborb]

I would not think that sun being weak was associated with being warm and pleasant, but sure, Baike. I guess context from the poem says it must be a positive adjective.

Baike says some say the plum blossom could also be the plum blossom makeup, but its first gloss of 'spring plums inserted at the temples' seems more logical. Though I guess either technically works, since the makeup could also be ruined.