A Snip of Plum Blossoms (Red Lotus Fragrance Fades, Jade Mat in Autumn) - Li Qingzhao
/一剪梅(红藕香残玉簟秋) - 李清照/
Longing in Autumn’s Twilight
红藕香残玉簟秋。
The fragrance of pink lotus fades upon the jade mat in autumn’s chill.
轻解罗裳，独上兰舟。
Gently removing my silk robe, I board the orchid skiff alone.
云中谁寄锦书来？
Who among the clouds will send a letter of brocade?
雁字回时，月满西楼。
When the wild geese return, the moon floods the western tower.
花自飘零水自流。
Flowers drift on their own, and the waters flow endlessly.
一种相思，两处闲愁。
One shared longing, yet two distant sorrows.
此情无计可消除，
No plan can dissolve these aching feelings,
才下眉头，却上心头。
They vanish from my brow only to rise within my heart once more.
Li Qingzhao, a prominent poet of the Song Dynasty, was celebrated for her delicate yet resonant style. In this poem, she evokes the deep ache of separation through evocative autumn imagery—fading lotus fragrance, drifting petals, and the steady flow of water. Each symbol underscores the inexorable passage of time and the abiding sense of yearning that lingers in the poet’s mind.
Autumn is often associated with endings and transitions, matching the speaker’s sorrowful mood. References to moonlight and returning wild geese heighten her loneliness, signifying distant messages or unreachable connections. These vivid natural elements serve as metaphors for the poet’s inner turmoil.
By weaving together images of solitary boat rides and delicately scented robes, Li Qingzhao offers a portrait of a person unwillingly separated from a loved one. The poem’s shift from tangible scenery to inward reflections mirrors how longing emerges each time she attempts to suppress it. Ultimately, it is this emotional tide—departing brow only to swell in the heart—that makes the poem a timeless testament to love, loss, and the intimate bond between human emotion and the surrounding world.
Key points
• Even simple daily scenes can be imbued with longing.
• Autumn imagery underscores the fleeting nature of life.
• Separation magnifies the depth of emotional ties.
• Li Qingzhao’s elegant style marries outward scenery with inner feeling.
