Palace Verse - Bai Juyi
/后宫词 - 白居易/
A Quiet Reflection on the Loneliness of Imperial Life
泪湿罗巾梦不成
Tears dampen the silk handkerchief, no dream can come
夜深前殿按歌声
Late into the night, music from the front hall is still rehearsed
红颜未老恩先断
Though beauty is yet unwithering, favor has already ceased
斜倚熏笼坐到明
Leaning against the brazier, she sits awake until dawn
In this short yet poignant poem, Bai Juyi offers a window into the secluded and often sorrowful lives of women in the imperial harem. The speaker, presumably a palace lady, remains awake through the night, haunted by the sound of court musicians practicing and her own memories of better days. Her tears on the silk kerchief highlight both her emotional pain and her refined surroundings—luxuries that only heighten her loneliness.
Although she is still in her prime (“红颜未老”), the emperor’s favor has already shifted elsewhere, leaving her in a suspended state of neglect. The phrase “斜倚熏笼坐到明” (leaning against a brazier until dawn) underscores the stillness and emptiness of her vigil. Indeed, while the palace might dazzle with pomp and finery, it is also a place where relationships can be fleeting, governed by power dynamics rather than genuine companionship.
Bai Juyi’s spare, direct language lays bare the emotional weight of isolation, driving home the idea that even behind the richest screens and resplendent corridors, there can be profound sadness. His gentle, empathetic voice resonates across time, reminding readers that human longing and heartbreak are universal, regardless of the outward luxuries one may possess.
Key points
1. Palace life, while gilded, often conceals deep isolation and emotional upheaval.
2. Bai Juyi’s sympathetic portrayal highlights the fragility of courtly favor.
3. Nighttime imagery and solitary vigil convey how the most private sorrows can lie beyond public view.
4. The poem resonates with anyone who has felt left behind or forgotten despite seemingly comfortable surroundings.
