“Memories of Jiangnan (Spring Has Passed)” follows the typical form of the Yi Jiangnan (忆江南) lyric, a ci genre renowned for its concision and musical cadence. In this ⋯ Read the full article

This second poem in Liu Yuxi’s “Spirit of Xiao and Xiang” series evokes the legendary lament of E Huang and Nü Ying, the consorts of the sage-king Shun who, upon his deat⋯ Read the full article

In this second poem of his “Willow Branch” series, Liu Yuxi focuses on the understated power of the willow—one of the most iconic symbols in Chinese poetry. The opening l⋯ Read the full article

“Ball Tossing Revelry” (抛球乐) by Liu Yuxi offers a charming snapshot of youthful celebration in a springtime setting. Though the poem is brief, its imagery is richly ev⋯ Read the full article

In this quatrain attributed to Liu Yuxi—whose works often explore change, memory, and the natural world—a traveler describes ascending the Temple of Heaven (天坛, Tiān Tá⋯ Read the full article

In “Embankment Stroll,” Liu Yuxi offers a tender portrait of seasonal transition and the impermanence of cherished memories. Set along a riverside path in southern China,⋯ Read the full article

“Spirit of Xiao and Xiang” (潇湘神) by Liu Yuxi draws on centuries-old lore surrounding the Xiao and Xiang Rivers, which flow through Hunan Province. Local tradition reco⋯ Read the full article

“A Glimpse of Lake Dongting” (望洞庭) by Liu Yuxi is a short yet evocative poem that captures the tranquil beauty of Dongting Lake, located in present-day Hunan Province.⋯ Read the full article

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 ⋯ Read the full article

Often referred to simply as “No Title,” this quatrain by Liu Yuxi paints an image of regal stillness and untold sorrow. The poem begins with an evocative scene of the pal⋯ Read the full article

In “Second Visit to the Xuandu Temple,” Liu Yuxi contrasts memories of a lush, flower-filled garden with its later transformation. When he first visited, peach blossoms a⋯ Read the full article

In “Remembering Mount Xisai,” Liu Yuxi connects a specific location—Xisai Mountain (西塞山)—with a pivotal moment in ancient Chinese history. The poem focuses on Wang Jun⋯ Read the full article

This poem, “A Reply to Bai Juyi at a Banquet in Yangzhou,” was Liu Yuxi’s response to his longtime friend Bai Juyi—also known by his courtesy name, Letian—upon meeting in⋯ Read the full article

In “Willow Branch Song (No. 1),” Liu Yuxi presents a scene at the former palace of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, situated by the Bian River. Through the image of a few⋯ Read the full article

In “Autumn Words (No. 1),” Liu Yuxi counters the longstanding notion that autumn must be synonymous with melancholy. Traditionally, poets of earlier eras often lamented f⋯ Read the full article