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

Re: 3.6 咏白菊 On the White Chrysanthemum

[llonkrebboj]

WHERE are the associations for chrysanthemums that are queer? *side-eye emoji*

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

[pengwern]

yeah I’m increasingly confused abt 人情好 - person.. something... good...
mood? feels for them? not needing to think back in wistful contemplation of these two bastions of nobleness in the past?