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The Works of Li Qingzhao, Ci Poems 3.41 - 3.48
The sixth instalment of Li Qingzhao’s ci poetry. This 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 3.41 through 3.48, inclusive.
How to Read Chinese Poetry has three chapters on the ci forms Li Qingzhao uses here:
Recall from the introduction that everything after 3.35 is relatively likely to be misattributed. This is especially true after 3.45: these may be written deliberately 'in Li Qingzhao's style'.
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How to Read Chinese Poetry has three chapters on the ci forms Li Qingzhao uses here:
Chapter 12, Ci Poetry: Short Song Lyrics (Xiaoling)
Chapter 13, Ci Poetry: Long Song Lyrics (Manci)
Chapter 14, Ci Poetry: Long Song Lyrics on Objects (Yongwu Ci)
Recall from the introduction that everything after 3.35 is relatively likely to be misattributed. This is especially true after 3.45: these may be written deliberately 'in Li Qingzhao's style'.
If you’d like to be added to the reminder email list, let me know the address you wish to be contacted via. (You can also unsubscribe from the reminders at any time simply by replying ‘unsubscribe’.)
3.43
寂寞深閨
柔腸一寸愁千縷。
惜春春去。
幾點催花雨。
倚遍闌干
祗是無情緒。
人何處。
連天芳樹 望斷歸來路。
To the tune “Dabbing Crimson Lips”
Lonely, deep in the women’s quarters, every inch of fragile innards has a thousand threads of sorrow. I cherish spring, but spring departs.
Drops of rain hasten the blossoms.
Having leaned everywhere on the balcony’s railing, I have no enthusiasm for anything. Where is that person now?
Fragrant trees stretch to the horizon, I gaze to the end of the road back home.
Re: 3.43
I know this attribution is somewhat dubious, but this one does make me think about how much time in this body of work Li Qingzhao seems to spend waiting, rather than in action—and waiting for impossible or indeterminate things, with no fit thing to do with herself that could possibly re-channel her emotions and ease them. In a way you could argue there’s something modern/capitalist in wanting someone to use their time better, but then also, is there not something classed as well as gendered in her miserable ‘leisure’? She can’t really take up a position as mistress of a house for *herself*, and in unsettled days. What is she supposed to do?
Re: 3.43
Re: 3.43