[Poem] UNTITLED (LAST NIGHT’S STARS, LAST NIGHT’S WIND) - A Momentary Glimpse of Longing and Devotion

In this untitled poem, Li Shangyin portrays the tender ache of affection set against the backdrop of night skies and gentle breezes. The opening lines evoke a wistful memory: the stars and wind of the previous night are already slipping into the past. By contrasting the painted tower and the laurel hall, the poet emphasizes physical separation, hinting at emotional distance as well.

A recurring theme in Li Shangyin’s work is the delicate yet powerful bond between two souls. Here, he uses the phoenix and the rhinoceros horn—the latter traditionally symbolizes a telepathic link—to convey both a longing for perfect union and the mysterious resonance that lovers share even when apart. The middle lines highlight small rituals of intimacy: sharing cups of wine and playing guessing games by candlelight. These seemingly simple moments underscore how love flourishes through fleeting encounters, made all the more precious by time’s swift passage.

The final couplet reveals the intrusion of duty. The poet hears the official drum and must depart, drawn away like a tumbleweed with no control over its path. This abrupt departure underscores how external obligations interrupt personal desires. In essence, Li Shangyin’s poem balances the beauty of connection against the inevitability of separation, offering a subtle and poignant meditation on the vulnerability of human relationships. Though brief, it captures the universal longing to savor love’s warmth before the demands of life and time dissolve those cherished moments.