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The Works of Li Qingzhao, Ci Poems 3.1 - 3.8
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.
3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum
小樓寒
夜長簾幕低垂。
恨蕭蕭
無情風雨 夜來揉損瓊肌。 也不似 貴妃醉臉
也不似 孫壽愁眉。 韓令偷香 徐娘傅粉
莫將比擬未新奇。 細看取
屈平陶令
風韻正相宜。 16 微風起
清芬醞藉 不減酴醾。
漸秋闌 雪清玉瘦
向人無限依依。
似愁凝
漢皋解佩
似淚灑 紈扇題詩。 明月清風 濃煙暗雨
天教憔悴度芳姿。 縱愛惜
不知從此
留得幾多時。
人情好
何須更憶 澤畔東籬。
To the tune “Gorgeous”
On the White Chrysanthemum
The low tower was cold, the night long, blinds and curtains hung down. How unwelcome, soughing on and on,
the uncaring wind and rain that bruised their jadelike skin. They do not resemble Guifei’s face flushed with wine,
nor do they resemble Sun Shou’s sorrowful eyebrows. The perfume that Director Han stole, the powder that Lady Xu wore,
were not nearly so fresh and marvelous.
When we look closely it is Qu Yuan and Tao Qian Whose graceful bearing befits theirs.
16 As a slight breeze stirs, their pure fragrance and refinement equal those of the briar rose.
As autumn reaches its end, 20 their spotless snow and slender jade
gaze with endless longing toward us. They seem filled with sorrow: the pearl pendants untied on Han’gao Mountain.
They appear to be shedding tears, the white silk fan inscribed with a poem.
In bright moonlight and chill winds heavy mists and dark rains,
Heaven makes their fragrant beauty look haggard. No matter how much we cherish them it’s impossible to know, from this moment on, how much longer they will last.
If a person truly cares for them, why must one always think back to Qu Yuan’s marsh and Tao Qian’s eastern hedge?
Re: 3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum
Interesting to see associations for chrysanthemums that AREN’T queer.
“If a person truly cares for them, why must one always think back to Qu Yuan’s marsh and Tao Qian’s eastern hedge?” This seems like the clincher, and we have no further information.
Re: 3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum
She really likes her flowers LOL! And her descriptions are always wonderfully vivid.
I think the Qu Yuan and Tao Qian mentions are because they both appreciate and like to write chrysanthemums into their poems? The last line of 'Qu Yuan’s marsh and Tao Qian’s eastern hedge' is a reference for the person (in Qu Yuan's case, because of the whole riverside/marsh bank conversation with the fisherman) and also to a poem (for Tao Yuan Ming).
I get why the translator would use Qu Yuan's marsh for 泽畔 when it really is just 'Riverside', and Tao Qian’s eastern hedge for 东篱 i.e. fence on the East side - because English readers just wouldn't have the context for the memes (unless they are familiar enough with Chinese poetry to catch the ball from the earlier name drop lmao).
Can't make heads or tails of what she's saying here though.
1) if you're doing well, there's no need to think of these people who dropped everything and left their vexing workplaces/situations?
2) just appreciate them for their beauty and don't think about wanting unhappy things?
Re: 3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum
mood? feels for them? not needing to think back in wistful contemplation of these two bastions of nobleness in the past?
Re: 3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum
the internet use of it is not as expansive as queer that I’ve seen? (maybe curved in opposition to straight) chrysanthemums now are more accurately the coarse part of anatomy ie “to have someone hankering after one’s chrysanthemum” (not particularly elegant nor pleasing)
Apparently it’s the Rubus rosifolius var. coronarius.
Re: 3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum
Otherwise yeah, those would be my usual associations with chrysanthemums, also hence why they're a traditional funeral flower.
Re: 3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum
Re: 3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum
mostly they remind me of that jay chou song, chrysanthemum terrace, funerals and also for some reason... new year?
Re: 3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum
Re: 3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum
Also an expression of how LQZ feels that a poem must have allusion to have deeper meanings. I guess with the footnotes and Baike gloss the references are there, but it's not quite as expressive as it could be otherwise.