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The Works of Li Qingzhao, Ci Poems 3.49 - 3.56
The seventh 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 3.49 through 3.56, 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’.)
3.53
簾外五更風。
吹夢無蹤。
畫樓重上與誰同。
記得玉钗斜撥火 寶篆成空。
回首紫金峰。
雨潤煙濃。 一江春浪醉醒中。
留得羅襟前日淚
彈與征鴻。
To the tune “Waves Scour the Sand”
Outside the blinds, the wind at the last watch blows my dream away, leaving no trace. Again I climb the painted loft, to be with whom?
I recall using a jade hairpin to tap the incense clean, until the precious seal character burned into nothing.
I look back toward the purple-gold peaks,
as rains soak everything and the mist thickens.
The spring river waves flow between drunkenness and sobriety.
The tears of former days, still left on my silken lapel, I would send aloft to the migrating geese.
Re: 3.53
“painted loft” ?
“to tap the incense clean” ?
“Incense was commonly formed into ancient seal-script characters, and the fire that consumed it followed the joined strokes until only ash was left.” This is interesting, but I’d need I think to SEE what they mean
“I look back toward the purple-gold peaks,
as rains soak everything and the mist thickens.” Nice description
The final three lines lose me a bit, seeming less connected to the previously sound core of the poem
Re: 3.53
Painted loft is glossed as gorgeous pavilion/building.
Baike explains that the incense must be tapped clean to avoid breaking the path of the fire.
There's several videos on youtube if you search for 'seal incense'.