Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Palace
Author: Yuan Zhen
Poem Title: Palace
The content of the poem:
Desolate ancient Palace,
The palace flowers bloom lonely red.
The white-haired palace maid remains,
Sitting idly, reminiscing about Xuanzong.
Explanation of the poem's meaning:
This poem was written by Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Zhen, expressing the poet's nostalgia for a glorious past and lamenting the current desolate situation.
Desolate ancient Palace: The poet describes the desolate scene of the ancient palace, where "desolate" implies a lack of human presence, making it appear empty and lonely.
The palace flowers bloom lonely red: The flowers in the palace are still blooming, but because no one appreciates them, their red color seems particularly lonely and sorrowful.
The white-haired palace maid remains: The palace maids have gray hair, indicating their old age, yet they still stay in the palace, reflecting their lifelong solitude and helplessness.
Sitting idly, reminiscing about Xuanzong: The palace maids sit idly discussing Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, which not only recalls the glorious past but also reveals their feelings about the current bleak life.
Through depicting the desolation of the Palace and the loneliness of the palace maids, the poem reflects the poet's nostalgia for bygone days and his sentiments about reality.
Story: Echoes of Time
A thousand years ago in the Tang Dynasty, there was a beautiful Palace.
The Palace was nestled among lush green trees and vibrant flowers.
Surrounded by green mountains, a stream flows gently. Inside the Palace, the brook babbles, and birds sing joyfully in the forest. On the lush green grass, wildflowers of various colors smile to greet visitors. Here lives a kind old lady named Grandma Mei Mei.
Grandma Mei Mei has a beaming smile, her silver hair shining, a slight hunch in her back, and she moves slowly. She always tells the little flowers and grasses in the Palace stories from the past. Those stories are filled with mystery and intertwine love, hatred, and conflict. They leave listeners sighing and reflecting, often with tears in their eyes.
The little grasses often listen intently until Grandma's voice gradually fades away, only then realizing that night has fallen. They all adore Grandma Mei Mei, believing she is the best person in the world. Days spent with her are warm and cozy.
Every evening, when night falls and the moon climbs to the treetops, Grandma sits in the middle of the grass holding a small wooden box. The box is polished to a shine, emanating a soft glow. Grandma opens the box and takes out an object—a jade pendant.
The jade pendant is smooth and translucent, glimmering with a soft light, intricately carved with two flying dragons that seem alive with their claws bared. Grandma gently strokes the pendant, her face lighting up with a kind smile as her eyes narrow into slits.
"Today I will tell you a story," Grandma's voice is soft, as if afraid of startling anyone. The little grasses immediately perk up, raising their tiny heads and widening their eyes to focus on the jade pendant in Grandma's hand.
"Once upon a time, there was an emperor who had a beloved consort named Yang Yuhuan..."
"Yang Yuhuan?" The little grasses began to whisper among themselves.
"Do you know about Yang Guifei?" Grandma asked.
The little grasses shook their heads, indicating that they did not know.
“She was a beautiful and kind woman who once sacrificed herself to save the people from disaster,” Grandma said with a gentle sigh.
“Ah!” The little grasses were all astonished upon hearing this, marveling at the greatness and selflessness of this woman.
Comment 0 Comment Count