As an object-chanting poem, it is of little value if it is only a mechanical record of things without the author's profound meaning. The value of this poem lies in the metaphor of lime everywhere, and chanting lime is to praise one's open mind and lofty personality.
The first sentence "A thousand hammers cut a deep mountain" describes that it is not easy to mine limestone. The second sentence is "if the fire burns, it will be idle." "Fire burning", of course, refers to burning limestone. Adding the word "if you are idle" makes people feel that you are not only burning limestone, but it also seems to symbolize that people with lofty ideals will take their time and treat it as idle no matter how severe the test is. The third sentence is "I am not afraid of death." "Broken to pieces" vividly writes that limestone is burned into lime powder, and the word "not afraid at all" reminds us that there may be a spirit of not being afraid of sacrifice. As for the last sentence, "keep innocence in the world", it is the author's sincere feelings and determination to be a pure and innocent person.
Yu Qian was honest and upright as an official. He once rehabilitated unjust imprisonment and provided relief for the famine, and was deeply loved by the people. In Ming Yingzong, Wala invaded and Yingzong was captured. Yu Qian proposed to establish Jingdi, personally led his troops to stick to Beijing, repelled Wala, and saved the people from the brutal rule of Mongolian nobles again. However, after the restoration of Yingzong, the national hero was falsely killed for "treason". This poem "Poetry of Lime" can be said to be a true portrayal of Yu Qian's life and personality.