[Poem] TAI CHENG - A Brief Glimpse into the Transience of Power

In “Tai Cheng,” Liu Yuxi draws the reader’s gaze toward a once-flourishing capital, now hushed by time. The poem references the ‘six dynasties’ that once made their seat in what is now Nanjing—some of the most illustrious courts in Chinese history. Yet all that remains are faint vestiges of their glory, symbolized by the ‘cold mist’ that envelops the old fortress.

The poem’s central theme is the impermanence of worldly power. The ‘past glories’ that once sparkled at this site have drifted away like the flowing river, leaving behind a scene of quiet stillness. Liu Yuxi underscores the ephemeral nature of prosperity by observing that all these rises and falls unfold ‘as one dream.’ In these few lines, he offers a succinct meditation on the sweeping passage of centuries, which can reduce even the mightiest realms to haunted ruins.

Ending on the note of a sunset lighting the sky for returning wild geese, the poet suggests that nature carries on, largely indifferent to human ambitions. While dynasties come and go, the world’s rhythms continue unabated—symbolized here by evening birds. This gentle yet poignant close encourages us to reflect on how easily human triumphs vanish, replaced by new stories and new journeys.

“Tai Cheng” is consistent with Liu Yuxi’s broader work, as he often contemplates history and the fleeting nature of power. Having experienced political ups and downs himself, he crafts each line with a knowing sensitivity, inviting modern readers to consider how time can humble all empires, just as it reshapes the contours of everyday life. Ultimately, the poem stands as a reminder that our own moments of success or hardship likewise form only one chapter in a far greater story.