To a Palace Woman
Moonlight passes palace gates and trees;
Her gaze rests only on a roosting egret’s nest.
Beside the lamplight she draws a jade hairpin,
Parts the red flame and saves a moth.
Notes
Neiren refers to a woman serving within the palace. The palace gate and moonlight set the scene; ke means a nest. She uses a hairpin to part the flame and rescue a moth.
Meaning
A palace woman watches a bird’s nest in moonlight, then uses a hairpin to save a moth from a lamp.
Appreciation
Moonlight across gate and trees establishes the palace at night.
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Her gaze rests on a nest, but the poem does not state her thoughts.
Drawing the hairpin and parting the flame reveal character through a small action.
Readers may infer compassion or reflect on her circumstances, while recognising that these feelings remain unstated.
About the poet
Zhang Hu, courtesy name Chengji, was a Tang poet; accounts of his dates and place of origin differ.
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His surviving poems include works about palace life, scenery and travel.
Palace Poem is also commonly titled He Manzi.