☀ Today's Poem: Two Poems by Yu Xuanji

While water and clouds are traditional Chinese poetic symbols of romantic and sensual love, Daoism adds the qualities of kindness, nourishment, and freedom. It’s worth noting that the double symbolism may not be coincidental. As the poem begins, Yu Xuanji sets the tone for the flexible nature of both the imagery and the practitioner’s mind by pointing to the flexible nature of water. This imagistic conceit first appears in chapter 18 of the Dao De Jing as an expression of a common Daoist ideal. Later on, it became an expression of the flexible nature of accomplished Daoists. Likewise, in Chinese culture, Mandarin ducks—especially when in a pair or a flock—are symbols of love in the intimate relationship of marriage. In a poetic move that Yu tends to employ in order to combine spiritual and romantic content, resulting in what may be considered her spiritual love poems, “Farewell” concludes with an image that would be particularly poignant at the time of its composition.