Translation Trashbin - 47. Two from Wu Tsao, circa 1825

Wuzao is a variant of the poet's name

What an amazing and sensual set of poems: scent, sight, cold and warmth combine. And the line Sorrows are hard to throw away, and dreams are hard to recruit  is indelible. 

6 minutes ago, Parker Owens said:

What an amazing and sensual set of poems: scent, sight, cold and warmth combine. And the line Sorrows are hard to throw away, and dreams are hard to recruit  is indelible. 

Thanks, Parker. These poems are good illustrations of the remarkable use of couplets in traditional Chinese poetry. Two are combined to make a quatrain, yet each pair of lines is meant to be complete on its own. The first couplet it usually more abstract and painterly, while the second brings in a personal POV, usually stating emotions as well. The relationship between the pair of couplets proves endlessly fascinating if the poet is good at her craft, as Wu Tso clearly was. 

Thanks again for reading and commenting ❤️

I have to agree with @Parker Owens -- incredible.

Beautifully written, sensuous and lonely!  This is a very powerful display of how poetry can touch a soul with an economy of words.

10 hours ago, ReaderPaul said:

I have to agree with @Parker Owens -- incredible.

Thanks for reading and commenting, ReaderPaul! I used yesterday morning to complete my gathering of Chinese Lesbian poems from a certain book I have. They are all hard-hitting, but I'm very fond of Wu Tsao, I have to say. She's among those on my short list of favorite poets 

5 hours ago, raven1 said:

Beautifully written, sensuous and lonely!  This is a very powerful display of how poetry can touch a soul with an economy of words.

Thanks, Terry. There's a remarkable beauty to traditional Chinese poetry. It has enabled some of the most sublime expression humanity's yet generated. I say, more poetry -- less war!!!