If I were a lover of ancient poetry, I would say to them according to several points:
1, the enlightenment function of poetry
2. The role of poetry in personal cultivation.
3. The function of poetry to express human social emotion.
As for how to say it specifically, you can refer to some articles, such as "What is a poet, a few men in Tang poetry" by Yu. The following is an excerpt:
Born in China, I have to bear countless pains, anger and boredom all my life. However, there are several factors that make me reluctant to leave and even willing to be reborn in China in my next life.
One of them is Tang poetry.
This statement may not get much recognition. Many friends will say, "You can still read Tang poems abroad, and there are many good poems in other countries!" "
Therefore, I must say a few more words about this matter.
The Tang poetry in my heart is a whole existence. It exists in Qiangdi in Gucheng, between the Yellow River and white clouds, after the rain, the mountains are empty, and Xunyang is autumn. As soon as China people who are proficient in literature and ink see the relevant environment, they will immediately release the images hidden in their hearts and involve everything in front of them in the poetic realm.
The image in my heart has been hidden since I was very young. Maybe it was recited by parents, maybe it was read by the teacher, but it was the most beautiful one taught by predecessors. As long as parents and teachers teach each other in Tang poetry, they will naturally eliminate the generational boundaries and walk into nature with the younger generation in a detached manner.
Therefore, for China people, Tang poetry is an all-round aesthetic awakening: awakening the soul, awakening the mountains and rivers, awakening the cultural heritage and awakening the essence of existence.
Moreover, this awakening is not from abstract concepts at all, but from perceptual images and specific details. After time screening, this image and details have become the collective sensitive and universal discourse of a huge nation.
Sometimes, in a foreign country, we can see scenes like "the moon sets and we want to cry" and "fishing alone in the cold river", which reminds us, but the mysterious poetic realm attached to the overall aesthetic culture does not exist. It's like finding a cabin like your hometown in the distance, or an old man like your grandmother. Although I was happy for a while, I was deeply lost after a little research. What have you lost? I lost all the echo relationship closely connected with life and the truth that made me myself.
Of course, irreplaceable does not mean beautiful. However, Tang poetry is really a great beauty. In any case, it can elevate the soul to a pure and lofty realm. Looking back, this kind of mellow and high-energy was originally their own, or the secret biography of their ancestors, but it was usually buried by a lot of trivial matters. Tang poetry is like a jade pestle knocking at the door, jingling and buzzing, which suddenly opens our hearts and shows us a very beautiful self.
This seemingly ordinary self can actually complete the boldest imagination, the deepest thought, the most meticulous observation, the most meticulous listening, the most kind sympathy and the most free and easy transcendence according to the guidance of distant words.
This self, seemingly riddled with holes, can actually pitch with the mountains, roll with the white clouds and shine with the sea.
This seemingly low-educated self can keep up with such an elegant rhythm, such a sonorous rhyme and such a luxurious articulation.