“Li Shangyin’s Und Poem: Love and Longing in the Night”
Original Text and Translation
“无题·凤尾香罗薄几重” (Und: How Many Layers of Phoenix Tail Silk?)
Tang Dynasty
By Li Shangyin
Translation:
How many layers of phoenix tail silk, so thin and light, are there? The green-patterned canopy, deep in the night, is still being sewn. The fan that conceals the moonlight is too shy to cover it fully; yet, your carriage has passed, and our words remain unspoken. Once, in my solitude, I lay awake by the dim light of the golden embers, waiting for news that never came until the pomegranate flowers turned red. Perhaps you are by the riverside, tethering your mottled horse under the drooping willows. How can I wait for the southwestern wind to bring me to you?
Expanded Explanation for American Readers
Li Shangyin’s und poem is a poignant reflection on longing, separation, and the complexities of love. The poet uses rich imagery and subtle emotions to convey the depth of his feelings, blending personal sorrow with evocative scenes from nature and everyday life.
The poem begins with the imagery of “phoenix tail silk,” a reference to delicate, intricately patterned silk fabric. The poet describes it as being layered and thin, hinting at both its physical lightness and the emotional weight of the speaker’s situation. This luxurious fabric represents both beauty and the fragility of the poet’s emotions.
The “green-patterned canopy” and the “deep night” suggest a setting of intimacy and personal space, where the poet is engaged in the delicate task of sewing. This image of sewing deep into the night reflects the poet’s preoccupation with his feelings and the passage of time.
The mention of a fan that “conceals the moonlight” adds a layer of romanticism and modesty to the scene. The fan symbolizes the attempt to hide or protect one’s true emotions, while the moonlight represents the truth that remains partially obscured. This imagery conveys the difficulty of fully expressing or sharing feelings in the face of separation and unspoken words.
The poem then contrasts this intimate setting with the image of the beloved’s carriage passing by. The “thunderous noise” of the carriage underscores the distance and the emotional chasm between the poet and his love. The lack of communication is palpable, and the poet’s yearning for connection is emphasized by the imagery of “unspoken words.”
In the lines that follow, Li Shangyin reflects on his solitude and the passage of time. The “dim light of the golden embers” represents the poet’s sleepless nights and the gradual fading of hope. The “pomegranate flowers turning red” symbolizes the arrival of time and the poet’s continued waiting for news that never arrives.
The final lines of the poem introduce a more tangible image of the poet’s longing. The reference to a “mottled horse” tethered under the willows evokes a sense of place and movement. This image contrasts with the poet’s static and waiting position, emphasizing the difficulty of reaching or connecting with the beloved.