A Palace Song
Tears wet her silk kerchief; sleep will not come.
Late at night, singing and its measured beat sound from the front hall.
Her face is not yet old, but the ruler’s favour has ended;
Leaning against the incense warmer, she sits until dawn.
Notes
A silk kerchief is wet with tears. Measured singing is heard from the front hall. Red cheeks refer to a young woman; the incense warmer is used to scent clothing or bedding.
Meaning
A palace woman who has lost the ruler’s favour cannot sleep and sits alone until dawn while singing sounds from another hall.
Appreciation
A wet kerchief and sleeplessness make the night’s sadness concrete.
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Singing in another hall contrasts with the woman sitting alone.
The loss of favour is named, then the wait is shown through her posture until dawn.
The poem speaks through a palace figure without supplying her full biography.
About the poet
Bai Juyi (772–846), courtesy name Letian, was a Tang poet and official born near present-day Xinzheng, Henan.
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His works include Song of the Pipa Player, Song of Everlasting Sorrow and many poems about daily life.