Back to a simpler time - by Phil H - Tang Poetry

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Rollicking is the way I’d describe this poem. It begins with the river rolling, and by giving us a name and an itemised list of what she did at each age, it sets itself well apart from the abstract and allusive tone of Tang poetry. This poem comes from an earlier time, and is much more earthy and folksy - a point brought resoundingly home at the end when our heroine reflects that all the servants and fancy stuff in the world aren’t as nice as the boy next door. I can imagine it ringing out in a beer hall, with everyone joining in enthusiastically for the last line, imagining themselves to be the legendary Wang boy. Liang ruled southern China during part of the period of disunity between the Han and Tang dynasties. Xiao Yan (464–549) founded the dynasty in 502, and took the name Emperor Wu. This poem, with its very folksong feel, introduced Lady Lu, a character who was later used in Tang poetry as a byword for a rich lady-of-the-manor. Translation note: Honeysuckle is a stand-in for osm

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published The Water in the River Xiao Yan (Emperor Wu of Liang) O the water in the river, East, east! It hurries, And a daughter of Luoyang Was named No Worries. At twelve she could weave A fine textured silk. At thirteen on South Lane She picked the mulberries. At fourteen the Lu House Took her to marry, And she bore them a son, At fifteen, a mother. A beautiful home, Honeysuckle beams, Turmeric and sweetgum Perfumed its rooms. On her head were hairpins In twelve golden rows, And her toes were held In bright silken shoes. A…

Back to a simpler time - by Phil H - Tang Poetry

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