Today SITEWUXI reviews Two Chinese Poets Books. 'The Light Of Ants.'
By The illustrious Chinese PoetTang Shi Translated by Zhi Zhizhong
Earth Culture Press ISBN 0 -9637599-6-5A.23
This very distinguished Chinese Poet, Born in Rongchang County
of Chongqing City is well known for his poetry published in TWPQ.
However he astounds us with glimpses into The Chinese way of life and
The Chinese manner of dealing with Death.
These are mysteries to we in The West who do every thing differently,
not necessarily better than our brothers in The Orient.
"The Light of Ants," reminds us that even the lowly ant has a plan,
a way forward, a destiny, a future.
I like "The Village Of Tang Shi," An imaginary place,
like Europes "Cockaigne." An ideal place within his mind
where he can retreat or even hide from the world.
A place where he is related to trees.
"My Father caught with many diseases," A comparison drawn between
his fathers infirmities and the glowing glorious youth of the poet,
his son.
Another of the poets fathers ailments well exploited is
"The Wine Is My Fathers Lamp." In Vino Veritas. If "in wine truth",
why not "in wine wisdom" also?
"Grandfather Plum." This is a poem commemorating lost loved ones.
A rare look at the Chinese attitude to Death.
"Maternal Aunt." This poem may not make Tang Shi popular in his lifetime
but will certainly serve a s his own epitaph.
An honest revealing little poem.
"Drought is a poem that has been lived first and then faithfully recorded
later. Well Done Tang Shi.
"When Paddies are harvested." Privileged Observation of the vast
Rice Paddies with just a sliver of imagination. A truly lovely poem.
"Women Invite Misfortune." Did she drown? Was she a suicide? A sad tale
of a missing woman. An observation on finding a woman's shoe after a flood.
"Countryside Stone Mason." The poet also extends his art to encompass
the work and art of the ordinary working man.
"A Water Ice Is a Weak Girl." The poet turns a Chinese treat into a vehicle
for male pleasure.
"Days of being Sick Unto Death." A clear and unsentimental look
at a terminal illness. Very Good Poem.
The sensible Chinese attitude to inevitable Death.
These and many more poems by Tang Shi are available for a mere 10 Euro
and will provide endless food for thought in the long Summer Nights ahead.
John Francis Missett. International Poet and Writer.
Today SITEWUXI reviews "THE SELECTED POETRY OF LIN QING."
Earth Culture Press ISBN 0 9637599-6-5/A.024
Lin Qing is a native ofTeng Chong in Yunnan province.
Her people should be very proud of her?
She rejoices in "Rejoicing in The Rhyme Of The Rain."
Capturing all the sights and sounds which constitute a rainy day.
Then she rejoices in The Morning Suns thousands of swallows
doing all those wonderful things which swallows do.
All this is observed and recycled as poetry. She misses nothing.
She rejoices again in "Rejoicing Spring." This Lady not only loves Nature
but understands some of its mysteries too.
In her lovely poem "Rejoicing The far Distant view The Poetess's view
widens as her ready pen quickens.
Even The River rejoices. God gives a people a river to live off,
if He loves them. One such river is closely observed and described
by our poetess here.
Lin Qing reminds us of the teachings of Karl Marx and "Stony Villages.
This lady really gets value out of her topics as she takes us
out of the river and Stone Villages to "Prancing Gardens."
Gardens really do prance. Thank You Lin Qing for showing us.
I may go to "Qinghai" soon Lin Qing and I will be looking for that
"lake in broken gold and silver."
If it is not exactly as you describe it you will hear from me Lin Qing.
My Favourite Poem By Lin Qing is "Open The Historic Camera Lens."
A wonder filled, backward, glance into history. Bravo Lin Qing.
Another capitalization upon her countries history is the touching poem.
"Death For The National Cause," Lins culture is enriched by her poem,
it is a war memorial in words which as every poet knows lasts longer
than mere marble or bronze.
I wish I had written something like this. A poem to be proud of.
"Huinings Spring," Good Morning Huining. Observed with a painters eye
and The Poets pen. Bravo Lin Qing.
Another good poem which should live forever? "Recall Bingxin"
This is in The Second Volume, same book.
A poem about the power of the human spirit and the Love which fires it.
Whatever happens Life will continue. Amore Vincit Omnia Lin Qing.
Love Conquers All.
"In Winter A Small Tree Is Abandoned By The Roadside."
There is a lovely moral cutting edge to this poem. Such poetry is an asset to all cultures. Well Done Lin Qing in the memory of morality taught is your immortality.
In "Seed Cock." Lin Qing dares to show us that she has a sense of humour.
Humour is dangerous in a woman Lin Qing.
Don't worry I am being humourous too. Aren't I?
"The Garden Bird,"poem is simply The Magpies police record,
a list of all it's successful crimes. These birds must be stopped.
"Volcanic Rock." All the latent power of the volcano in words.
Bravo Lin Qing.
There are two poems about mining and coal, each compliments the other,
"Coal",and Lantern Of The Death World.
Lin Qing leaves us in no doubt that the cost of coal is blood.
A wonderful bit of Socialist Realism. Bravo Lin Qing.
In her poems The Purple Bamboo and Rainbow,
Lin Qing really opens up her work with beautiful symbols
Her Good Lord Buddha in "Rainbow,"
and The White Heron Her bird of the soul in The Purple Bamboo
are beautiful and timeless images planted by her in the garden of our minds.
This book of hers will brighten the Summer of all who read it.
Well done Lin Qing you are a credit to China.
John Francis Missett. International Poet and Writer.
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Hi. My name is John Missett. I have been writing Poetry for a long time. I was crowned Poet in Athens on September 17th 1999. I have been published in Italy, Greece and China as well as America and England. I would like to exchange poetry with people who will attempt to get mine published as I will theirs. With the proviso of course that we deem each the others work worthy of such an honour?I belong to D.E.E.L. The International Greek Writers of Athens. Our President is Mrs Chrissoulla Varveri Varra. (Poet, Writer, Journalist.) 9 Chlois Neo Iraklion 14122 ATHENS Greece.
My e mail address is ashanti@merseymail.com