Poppy
Li Yu of the Southern Tang Dynasty
When did the spring flowers and autumn moon come? How much do we know about the past? There was an east wind in the small building last night, and the motherland could not bear to look back at the bright moon.
The carved railings and jade inlays should still be there, but the beauty has been changed. Asking you how much sorrow you can have is like a river of spring water flowing eastward.
1. Translation of the work
When will the annual spring flowers and autumn moon come to an end? How many past events do we know! The spring breeze blew again in the small building last night, and the bright moon was in the sky. How can I bear the pain of recalling my homeland on this night.
The finely carved railings and jade steps should still be there, but the person I miss is already aging. If you ask me how much sadness I have in my heart, it’s like the endless spring water rolling eastward.
2. Creative background
Li Yu, known as the empress of the Southern Tang Dynasty in history, reigned for 15 years. After surrendering to the Song Dynasty, he was granted the title of Disobedient Marquis. This poem was written probably in the third year after Li Yu returned to the Song Dynasty. This poem reveals Li Yu's unabashed longing for his motherland and expresses Li Yu's extremely deep nostalgia for his motherland. "Poppy Poppy" is his last poem. According to legend, he ordered the singers to sing "Poppy Poppy" on the night of the Chinese Valentine's Day. When Song Taizong found out about this, he was furious and gave Li Yu a glass of poisonous wine. This is how a generation of poets passed away.
3. Appreciation of Works
"Poppy Beauty" is Li Yu's representative work and also the final words of Empress Li. It is said that on the night of his birthday (July 7th) (Qixi Festival), he ordered his old prostitutes to have fun at his residence and sang the lyrics of his new work "Poppy Poppies", which was heard outside. Song Taizong was furious when he heard this and ordered people to give him medicinal wine to poison him to death. This poem expresses the endless sorrow of a subjugated king through the contrast between the past and the present.
When will the spring flowers and autumn moon come, how much do you know about the past! The spring flowers bloom, the Mid-Autumn moon is full, the years are constantly changing, how beautiful life is. But when will the miserable years of my prisoner come to an end? When will the spring flowers and autumn moon come to an end? The poem shows that the person in the poem is a prisoner, and he is afraid that the spring flowers and autumn moon will bring back memories of the past and make him sad. Looking back on the past, as a king, how did you do so many things in the past? How did you get to where you are today?
4. Introduction to the author
Li Yu (937- 978) The late master of the Southern Tang Dynasty and an outstanding poet. The courtesy name is Chongguang, his first name was Congjia, his nickname was Zhongyin, and he was a layman named Lianpeng. The sixth son of Li Jing, Yuanzong of the Southern Tang Dynasty, succeeded to the throne in the second year of Jianlong of the Song Dynasty and was known as the later master in history. In the eighth year of Kaibao's reign (AD 975), the country was defeated and surrendered to the Song Dynasty. He was captured in Bianjing and was named General Youqianniuwei and Marquis of Disobedience. Later, he was poisoned to death by Song Taizong. Although Li Yu was politically incompetent, his artistic talent was extraordinary. Li Yugong is good at calligraphy, painting, fine music and rhythm, and has certain attainments in poetry and prose. Especially his achievements in Ci are the highest, and he is known as the "Eternal Ci Emperor". It also has a great influence on future generations. His poems are mainly collected in "Two Main Ci Poems of the Southern Tang Dynasty".