On the death of my husband Zhao Mingcheng, the governor of Huzhou
- Poetry of Li Qingzhao

《祭赵湖州文》

Li Qingzhao's husband Zhao Mingcheng (1081 - 1129, epigrapher, poet, and politician) died of disease after he was appointed to be Huzhou's governor of the New Southern Song dynasty. His sudden death left his wife to a world under the siege of the Jin invaders.

On the death of my husband Zhao Mingcheng, the governor of Huzhou by Li Qingzhao

English Translation

Your life journey is just half way, like the dazzling sun at midday.

Then you’re gone, leaving me alone to a world sinking astray.

You’re the elite of the Song, but nothing gold can stay.

I remember the daughter of Monk Pang, who ended her life before he passed away, --a relieve from such grief faithful to a heart of pain.

中文原文( Chinese )

白日正中，叹庞翁之机捷。

坚城自堕，怜杞妇之悲深。

Why Chinese poems is so special?: The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.

How to read a Chinese poem?: Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

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On the death of my husband Zhao Mingcheng, the governor of Huzhou - Poetry of Li Qingzhao

On the death of my husband Zhao Mingcheng, the governor of Huzhou
- Poetry of Li Qingzhao