Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OLD POEM: 5, by ANONYMOUS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OLD POEM: 5, by                    
First Line: In the north-west there is a high house
Last Line: That with beating wings rise high aloft
Subject(s): China - Early Period (to 200 B.c.)


IN the north-west there is a high house,
Its top level with the floating clouds.
Embroidered curtains thinly screen its windows,
Its storied tower is built on three steps.
From above there comes a noise of playing and singing,
The tune sounding, oh! how sad!
Who can it be, playing so sad a tune?
Surely it must be Ch'i Liang's wife.
The tranquil "D" follows the wind's rising,
The middle lay lingers indecisive.
To each note, two or three sobs,
Her high will conquered by overwhelming grief.
She does not regret that she is left so sad,
But minds that so few can understand her song.
She wants to become those two wild geese
That with beating wings rise high aloft.





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