A TWIG OF MUME BLOSSOMS

Li Qingzhao

(1084-1055, poetess in the Song Dynasty)

Fragrant lotus blooms fade, autumn chills mat of jade.

My silk robe doffed, I float.

Alone in orchid boat.

Who in the cloud would bring me letters in brocade?

When swans come back in flight,

My bower is steeped in moonlight.

As fallen flowers drift and water runs its way,

One longing leaves no traces

But overflows two places.

O how can such lovesickness be driven away?

From eyebrows kept apart,

Again it gnaws my heart.

一剪梅 

[宋]李清照

红藕香残玉簟秋, 

轻解罗裳,独上兰舟。

云中谁寄锦书来？

雁字回时,月满西楼。

花自飘零水自流,

一种相思,两处闲愁。

此情无计可消除,

才下眉头,却上心头。

About the poet 

Li Qingzhao, one of China's most well-known female poets of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), created many works that show detailed observations and the sentiments she felt in life. She is known to be the pioneer of the "euphemistic" style of poetry.

About the translator 



Born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province, Xu Yuanchong was a professor of literary translation at Peking University. He won the lifetime Achievement Award in Translation conferred by the Translators Association of China (TAC) in 2010.

About the book 

300 Song Lyrics/ Translated by Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) Published by China Intercontinental Press