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In the “Jade Terrace” Style #9, Quan Deyu
Thursday, 15 September 2022 07:42The autumn winds come for one night—
Their gusts deplete rear-courtyard flowers.
I can’t endure this time apart:
My western neighbors—they’re the Songs.
玉台体 之九
秋风一夜至，
吹尽后庭花。
莫作经时别，
西邻是宋家。
Yes, another “lonely lady” poem—the rear courtyard being that of the women’s quarters of a large household. That said, I don’t follow what’s the point of her neighbors—is she tempted to find consolation with a young master Song? (This would echo the next poem in a dramatically neat but emotionally messy way.) IDK. If so, then reading this as third-person POV might help bring this out: “She can’t endure this time apart: / Her western neighbors—they’re the Songs.” 🤷🏼♂️
---L.
Their gusts deplete rear-courtyard flowers.
I can’t endure this time apart:
My western neighbors—they’re the Songs.
玉台体 之九
秋风一夜至，
吹尽后庭花。
莫作经时别，
西邻是宋家。
Yes, another “lonely lady” poem—the rear courtyard being that of the women’s quarters of a large household. That said, I don’t follow what’s the point of her neighbors—is she tempted to find consolation with a young master Song? (This would echo the next poem in a dramatically neat but emotionally messy way.) IDK. If so, then reading this as third-person POV might help bring this out: “She can’t endure this time apart: / Her western neighbors—they’re the Songs.” 🤷🏼♂️
---L.