[Poem] CHANG'E - A Brief Reflection on Myth, Loss, and Loneliness

In this poem, Li Shangyin draws inspiration from the Chinese myth of Chang'e, the goddess who ascends to the moon after consuming an elixir of immortality—at the cost of eternal separation from her mortal life and loved ones. The opening lines establish a quietly introspective mood, with dim candlelight and a receding Milky Way symbolizing both literal and emotional transitions into the solitude of dawn.

Chang'e’s famed regret centers on her decision to seize the magic elixir, underscoring the poem’s central tension between desire and consequence. By painting the goddess under an ever-present sky—described here as a “碧海青天” (an endless expanse of azure)—Li Shangyin emphasizes the boundless nature of her isolation. This immortality, ironically, is portrayed not as a blessing but as a source of sorrow. The goddess’s nightly vigil reminds us that in seeking to transcend the limits of mortal life, she has lost what made it precious.

Li Shangyin’s verses speak to universal themes of longing and regret, suggesting that attempts to escape human frailty can bring about an even deeper sense of exile. Through delicate imagery of dimming lights and drifting stars, the poem invites a reflection on how the longing for perfection—or permanence—can leave us feeling more isolated than ever. While undoubtedly drawing from ancient mythology, “Chang'e” resonates across time as a reminder that true contentment often lies within the very confines of our shared human experience.