While in my dream, I forget I am a guest, / And covet pleasure! - Li Yu #QotD

Outside the Curtains the Rain is Murmuring (Ripples Sifting Sand)

Outside the curtains the rain is murmuring,
And spring is waning,
Silk bedding cannot resist the fifth watch cold.
While in my dream, I forget I am a guest,
And covet pleasure!
I should not lean alone on these railings,
The land is unlimited;
It's easy to part- to meet again is hard.
Spring's gone like blossom fallen on flowing water,
My paradise too!

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Li Yu was an early writer of Song dynasty lyrics, (ci in Chinese), a much more fluid form than those used by the great Tang poets. His works often express strong romantic or nostalgic feelings; they bear the title only of the tune to which they were sung. Here they are identified by their first line in English. (from the website)

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Book at right is from the Ancient Chinese Book collection, Shanghai Library and note related to the poem

My idle dreams roam far, / To the southern land where spring is fragrant. - Li Yu #QotD

My Idle Dreams Roam Far (Gazing at the South)

My idle dreams roam far,
To the southern land where spring is fragrant.
Wind and strings play on a boat on the river's clear surface,
The city is full of catkins flying like light dust.
People are occupied admiring the flowers.
My idle dreams roam far,
To the southern land where autumn is clear.
For a thousand li over rivers and hills cold colours stretch far,
Deep in flowering reeds, a solitary boat is moored.
Beneath the bright moon, a flute plays in the tower.

* * * * *
Li Yu was an early writer of Song dynasty lyrics, (ci in Chinese), a much more fluid form than those used by the great Tang poets. His works often express strong romantic or nostalgic feelings; they bear the title only of the tune to which they were sung. Here they are identified by their first line in English. (from the website)

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Book at right is from the Ancient Chinese Book collection, Shanghai Library and note related to the poem

Man's affairs are like the flow of floodwater, / A life is just like floating in a dream - Li Yu #QotD

 Last Night the Wind and Rain Together Blew (Crows Crying at Night)

Last night the wind and rain together blew,
The wall-curtains rustled in their autumn song.
The candle died, the water-clock was exhausted,
I rose and sat, but could not be at peace.
Man's affairs are like the flow of floodwater,
A life is just like floating in a dream.
I should more often go drunken through the country,
For otherwise I could not bear to live.
- Li Yu

* * * * *
Li Yu was an early writer of Song dynasty lyrics, (ci in Chinese), a much more fluid form than those used by the great Tang poets. His works often express strong romantic or nostalgic feelings; they bear the title only of the tune to which they were sung. Here they are identified by their first line in English. (from the website)

* * * * *
Book at right is from the Ancient Chinese Book collection, Shanghai Library and note related to the poem