In the “Jade Terrace” Style #9, Quan Deyu
Thursday, 15 September 2022 07:42![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lnhammerThe 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.
no subject
Date: 15 September 2022 17:43 (UTC)That's possible, but it'd be the first whiff of politics I've seen in any "Jade Terrace" poem or imitation. Avoiding politics was kinda the point of the Palace Style. And if it is there, I've no idea how to find it -- the scant commentaries I've located are silent on this one.