Anybody good at figuring out poems?
I have to read a poem in front of the class and talk about what it means and if it rhymes and stuff like that. So, please can anybody tell me what this poem is about.
Two Springs
by Li Ch’ing-chao
Spring has come to the women’s quarter.
Once more the new grass is kingfisher green.
The cracked red buds of plum blossoms
Are still unopened little balls.
Blue-green clouds carve jade dragons.
The jade powder becomes fine dust.
I try to hold on to my morning dream
I have already drained and broken
The cup of Spring.
Flowers shadows lie heavy
On the garden gate.
In the orange twilight
Pale moonlight spreads
On the translucent curtain.
Three times in two years
My lord has gone away to the East.
Today he returns,
And my joy is already
Greater than the Spring.
Please help me figure out what each line is about.
The poet is a concubine, so she is the wife (one of the wives!) of a Lord or possibly even a member of the Royal Family. This applies to China anytime up to about 1910. The women’s quarter was where she and the other wives each had a residence. Polygamy was the norm and there was usually very little rivalry between wives (Not spoken about anyway!). Her husband (her lord) is returning from whatever mission has taken him away from home and his return coincides with the beginning of spring, which make it all the more joyful for her. The poem is mostly just beautiful description of Spring, although I too am unsure about “blue-green clouds carve jade dragons”. If you’re giving a talk, remember that Ch’ing-chao (pronounced Ching Jow) is her given name and Li is her surname.
Jade Empire: Grand Inquisitor Jia (Jade Master)