Classical Chinese poems of the Song Dynasty, with their unique artistic style and profound cultural content, hold an important place in the history of Chinese literature. The Chinese "Ci" poetry, which flourished during the Song Dynasty, is a form of musical literature, a lyrical poetry with verses of varying lengths, sung with musical accompaniment. Song Dynasty poems are generally divided into two schools of lyrical style: the bold school and the delicate school. Su Shi and Xin Qiji are representatives of the bold school, while Liu Yong and Li Qingzhao are representatives of the delicate school.
“The Call of the Crane” by Lin Bu (Taken from "The Kingdom of Chinese Poetry" p. 331)
The call of the crane, so divine, I have known it for a long time
Its round voice extends solitary in the heart of the night
A single sharp cry that makes you startle, the whole sky seems to tear
And you are no longer in the mood for head-in-the-clouds daydreams
Lin Bu (967-1028), also known as Lin Hejing or Lin Jing, was a hermit poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. This poem is remarkable for its ability to express feelings and images with simplicity and precision. It is said that Lin Bu brought two cranes from his homeland, which often flew in the sky, circling the landscapes of the West Lake. These cranes, intelligent and sensitive, even knew how to shop and carry messages. Lin Bu loved them as precious treasures. It is said that after Lin Bu's death, the two cranes let themselves die weeping in front of his grave.
“Written on the Wall of Xilin Temple” by Su Shi (Taken from "The Kingdom of Chinese Poetry" p. 339)
Facing forward, crests are seen; from the side, peaks rise
Farther or nearer, higher or lower, each perspective differs
I cannot discern the true face of Mount Lu
Simply because I am right in the midst of it
This poem by Su Chi (1037-1101)is characterised by an innovative and ingenious conception, with a subtle and ethereal atmosphere, and a deep meaning related to Zen philosophy.
“Spring is Past” by Li Qingzhao (Taken from "The Kingdom of Chinese Poetry" p. 355)
The wind has ceased, the flowers have all fallen,
their fragrance lies in the dust
It“s already evening, today I don”t feel like combing my hair
Things have remained the same, but people have not,
now everything is over
I wish to speak, but tears flow before words
I have heard that spring at the Two Streams is still beautiful
I would love to go for a boat ride
But I fear the small boat
Cannot bear the weight of my great sadness
Li Qingzhao (1084 - 1155), the most eminent poetess of the Northern Song dynasty, is also considered the most successful woman in the history of Chinese literature.
In the last years of her life, Li Qingzhao lived in Jinhua. At that time, Jin soldiers invaded the area; her husband had already died, and she was in a miserable situation with immense pain in her heart. Her family“s precious artefacts were also used up, and she lived as a refugee, experiencing many hardships. This poem uses the landscape of late spring to describe the poet”s deepest anguish and sadness. The melancholy beauty, exhaustively expressed but with infinite meanings, cannot but arouse compassion in the reader's heart.
“Praising Myself Again” by Yang Wanli (Taken from "The Kingdom of Chinese Poetry" p. 365)
The wind and the river ask me to sing
The moon among the mountains invites me to drink
Drunk, I fall beside the scattered petals on the ground
The sky is my blanket, the earth my pillow
Yang Wanli (1127-1206) is considered one of the “Four Great Renaissance Poets” of the Southern Song Dynasty.
The most poetic life is nothing more than being open and carefree, adapting to circumstances and finding joy in them.
