A Lament on Jade Steps
White dew gathers on the jade steps;
Deep into the night it wets silk stockings.
At last the crystal curtain is lowered,
And through it she gazes at the autumn moon.
Notes
Jade steps evoke an elegant setting. The long night leaves dew on silk stockings. “Lower the crystal curtain” precedes a gaze at the autumn moon; the exact force of linglong has more than one interpretation.
Meaning
Dew wets the figure’s stockings during a long night. After lowering the curtain, the figure continues to look toward the autumn moon.
Appreciation
The title names a lament, while the body suggests feeling through dew, a curtain and moonlight.
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Wet stockings imply a long time on the steps; the poem does not state the reason for waiting.
The gaze continues after the curtain is lowered, extending the silence into the final image.
The poem uses an old Yuefu title; readers may interpret the figure and mood in different ways.
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.