A Grievance
A woman rolls up the beaded curtain;
She sits long with brows drawn tight.
Only the wet traces of tears are visible;
No one knows whom her heart resents.
Notes
The beaded curtain frames a woman sitting with furrowed brows. Pin means to frown; “moth brows” describes slender curved eyebrows. The poem does not identify the cause or object of her sorrow.
Meaning
A woman sits behind a raised curtain, frowning and in tears; the observer does not know the cause of her sorrow.
Appreciation
The poem reveals sorrow through gestures and expression without explaining the story.
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A raised curtain, a long stillness, drawn brows and wet tears make the emotion visible.
The final “not knowing” preserves the observer’s distance and leaves the cause open.
Distinguish the details the speaker sees from the things readers might imagine.
About the poet
Li Bai (c. 701–762), courtesy name Taibai, was a Tang poet whose travels inspired many poems about landscapes, friendship and journeys.
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Life: Li Bai grew up in the Shu region and traveled widely. He was summoned to serve at the Tang court before continuing his journeys.
Works: His poems include Thoughts on a Quiet Night, Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lu and To Wang Lun.