Autumn Willows: Poetry by Women of China's Golden AgeThe fabled middle Tang dynasty of China lasted almost three hundred years (618â¬"905). These centuries embodied martial conflict, unbelievable wealth and opulence for a few, and horrible poverty for many. Through it all, an unwieldy caste system governed lord and serf alike. In this exotic, beautiful, and forbidding culture, poetry was revered and practiced by many. Three women poets, especially, endured through the centuries as the voices of their time. For the first time in English, the poetry of the Taoist priestesses, Le Yi and Yu Xuanji, and the slave, Xue Tao is presented. |
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afar already autumn bamboo beautiful birds blossoms boat branch breeze China clear clouds cold colors comes covered crimson deep distant door dreams dress drink early east emerald emotion eyes face fall farewell feelings Fish flowers flowing fragrant Friend garden Gazing gone grass green hand heard heart hide human immortals Lament Late leaves letter light lines Living look lovers lute Mandarin ducks master meet Melancholy Message mind mist misty moon moonlight morning mountains Mourning myriad Neighbor nest never night Once pain pair passed peach peaks Poems poetry pond rain reach remain river Scholar separated setting shadow shine shore silken sing song sorrow spring springtime stand stream Summer Taken Tang dynasty Taoist tears Thoughts thousand travelers trees valley verse waves willows wind wine wish women writing Xue Tao