Lotus and Poetry

Few weeks ago, we talked about lotus and water-lily. It seems incomplete however without discussing some literature related to lotus which is such a popular native summer aquatic plants to China. Among numerous Chinese writers in its history, one stood out in terms of the use of flowers and in particular, lotus as a symbol and theme in many of her work. It is one of the most celebrated poets Li QingZhao李清照 (1084-1151 CE) of the Song dynasty. Here is one of her all time classic, along with my English translation:

一剪梅 （北宋 李清照）

紅藕香殘玉簟秋，
輕解羅裳，
獨上蘭舟。
雲中誰寄錦書來？
雁字回時，
月滿西樓。

花自飄零水自流。
一種相思，
兩處閒愁。
此情無計可消除，
才下眉頭，
卻上心頭。

Apart (Li QingZhao, Northern Song Dynasty)
- in “A twig of plum blossom” Ci Poetry Form

Leftover fragrance of lotus and chill of jade pad greet the autumn,
Gently out of my silky coat,
Alone step onto my light boat.
Longing for message of my love afar over the distant sky,
When geese return in rows,
Moonlight had filled west chamber.

Flower peddles drift apart as streams flow to their own destinies,
We miss each other so much,
As we are apart in worries.
Can’t stop thinking of you no matter what I try, my love,
When frown eases,
Heart ache seizes.

The poem is set on a day of early fall not long after Li QingZhao was married.With the falling and drifting of summer lotus, it expressed her longing for her husband who had to travel far away.Note Ci poetry of China has quite a few forms and this poem follows a particular one (named “ twig of plum blossom” form) that has two symmetric parts in 60 characters total and particular rhythm at places. Li QingZhao later was honored by her hometown fellows as Goddess of Lotus and there are many memorials for her in China. The picture here is a memorial on the shore of the DaMing Lake大明湖 in the city where she was born.

The well-known and outspoken contemporary Chinese poet and writer Yu GuangZhong 余光中paid a tribute to her with a poem a year ago when he visited the memorial. Some parts of that poem are hard to translate as he embed in few short verses Li’s poems and her difficult relocation during Jurchens女眞invasion and occupation that forced Song Emperor and government exile to the south. I will only try the last part that is most relevant on lotus where he cleverly uses the properties of lotus roots and seeds as metaphors.

藕神祠 - 哀悼中國女詩人李清照，余光中 2008
- 濟南人在大明湖畔為李清照立藕神祠

天妒佳偶，只橫刀一分
就把美滿截成了兩半
一半歸戰前，一半給亂後
亦如金兵劈大宋的江山
成南宋與北宋，即使岳飛
也無力用頭顱討還
無情的刀鋒啊過處
國破之痛更添上家亡
憑愛情，怎麼能拼得攏呢
才女淪落江湖成難民
愛妻一回首成了遺孀

鷓鴣天
聲聲慢
難堪最是遲暮的心情

最怕是春歸了秣陵樹
人老了偏在建康城
夢裡的滄桑，鏡中的眉眼
難掩半生曾經的明豔
曾經戰前兩小的親暱
綽約風姿，只能尋尋覓覓
向小令的字裡行間

蓮子雖心苦，藕節卻心甘
情人遺憾，用詩來補償
歷史不足，有廟可瞻仰
你是濟南的最愛，藕神
整面大明湖是你的妝鏡
映照甜蜜的哀愁，高貴的美
藕斷千年，有絲纖纖
嫋嫋不絕，仍一縷相牽
恰似黑瓦紅扉的藕神祠前
四足銅鑪的香燭迎風
仍牽動所有禱客的思念。

Lotus Goddess Shrine (Tribute to Li QingZhao by Yu GuangZhong, 2008)

- at the Lotus Goddess Shrine of DaMing Lake by citizens of ZhiNan

Lotus seeds are bitter, yet the roots are sweet.

Lovers’ regret can be made up with poetry

History’s loss can be with a praying shrine.

You are the love of city ZhiNan, Goddess Lotus

DaMing Lake is your vanity mirror,

Reflecting your sweet sadness and noble beauty.

Thousand years of separation like lotus root of silky fibers in sections,

Threads are still connected in never ending echoes.

Just like the candle flames of the bronze burner greeting the wind,

At the courtyard of the Goddess Lotus Shrine in black roof and red gate,

Stringing the memory and thoughts of the visiting prayers.

Before I go, below is a Guzheng 古箏 and vocal performance of a Chinese song composed by Su Yue 蘇越 with lyrics in Li’s poem above. Hope you would enjoy it. Talk to you soon!