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One of my favorite poets, one of my favorite translators.
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The Selected Poems of Li Po
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Li Po (AD 701-762) and Tu Fu are traditionally celebrated as the two greatest poets in the Chinese canon. David Hinton's translation of Li Po's poetry is no less an achievement than his critically acclaimed "The Selected Poems of Tu Fu", also published by Anvil. Li Po's work is suffused with Taoism and Zen Buddhism, and the pure lyricism of his poems has awed readers in China and Japan for over a thousand years. Called 'the Banished Immortal', Li Po was seen as an exiled spirit moving through this world with an unearthly ease and freedom from attachment. David Hinton's versions reflect the ambiguity and density of Li Po's originals. They are compelling English poems that alter our conception of Chinese poetry.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1,0762
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So serene and beautiful. I'm really not into my Asian roots but this is some great poetry. It is a little monotone- nature, wine, Taoist stuff. The lack of rhyme and the even meter make it seem so sagey. Glad to have read this book!!!
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I think I need to read another translation. This one, by David Hinton, occasionally works (e.g., 'War South of the Great Wall') but more often sounds banal and empty. Am I reading New-Age hippy bullsh*t or one of the greatest Chinese poets that ever wrote? - was the question that irked me throughout. Still, I'm interested enough to reread Li Po, so this edition must have done something right.
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This book is just him drinking alone, going on hikes, meeting friends, drinking with friends, talking abt how beautiful the moon is, drinking under the moon, autumn, drinking some more, and I respect that. Some choice titles include 'Drinking Under The Moon', 'Drinking Alone', 'Drinking on Dragon Mountain', 'Drinking Alone' on a Spring Day', 'Drinking in the Mountains With A Recluse', 'Waking Drunk on Spring Day'.
Also, from the introduction:
“It may be just as well, for the legend Li Po made of himself is more consistent and compelling if he remains, like the moon, an enduring mystery. Whatever actually happened at Li Yang-ping’s house in the winter of 762, Li Po died as the legend says he died: out drunk in a boat, he fell into a river and drowned trying to embrace the moon.”
Also, from the introduction:
“It may be just as well, for the legend Li Po made of himself is more consistent and compelling if he remains, like the moon, an enduring mystery. Whatever actually happened at Li Yang-ping’s house in the winter of 762, Li Po died as the legend says he died: out drunk in a boat, he fell into a river and drowned trying to embrace the moon.”
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best of the T'ang.
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I simply love Li Po. What more can I say?
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My favorite poet of all time. One of the very few bits of literature that actually makes me simmer down for a while.
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Ughhh, I wanna finish this book so bad-
I keep wasting the time tho.
I keep wasting the time tho.
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