Chang'e
Li Shangyin
The candle shadow on the mica screen is deep,
The long river gradually sets and the dawn stars sink.
Chang'e should regret stealing the elixir,
The blue sea and sky are my heart every night!
Explanation of the poem
The mica screen reflects the dim candle shadow, the Milky Way is gradually becoming sparse, and the morning star is about to disappear. Chang'e should regret taking the elixir secretly, looking at the blue sea and sky, feeling lonely every night.
Word explanation
Long River: Milky Way.
Poem Appreciation
This poem uses the story of Chang'e to fly to the moon to express the feeling of being in loneliness. Surrounded by the dark and filthy reality, the poet strives spiritually to get rid of the mundane world and pursue a noble realm, but the result of his pursuit often makes him fall into a more lonely situation. The twins of aloofness and loneliness, as well as the resulting self-admiration and self-injury, are successfully expressed by the poet in subtle and connotative language. This is the characteristic of this poem. The whole poem is delicate and sad, with profound meaning.