Chinese poem illustration: 唐风 葛生/ Tang Wind – Kudzu Grows by Anonymous
Full video also available at Bilibili: 唐风 葛生
A very touching condolence poem (悼亡诗) treated as the very first in history though it is not, at least among the poems in Shijing.
By pinpointing the meaning and literary images of 葛(kudzu), 美(giant), 夏至日(summer solstice day), 冬之夜(winter solstice night), 居室(room of ancester temple), this poem appeared to be a condolence to poet’s dead father, very likely the state lord of Jin (晋君). The five chapters structure revealed the king arrogation by the poet himself.
唐风 葛生
佚名
葛生蒙楚，蔹蔓于野。
予美亡此，谁与？独处？
葛生蒙棘，蔹蔓于域。
予美亡此，谁与？独息？
角枕粲兮，锦衾烂兮。
予美亡此，谁与？独旦？
夏之日，冬之夜。
百岁之后，归于其居。
冬之夜，夏之日。
百岁之后，归于其室。
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