Heaven My Blanket, Earth My Pillow: Poems from Sung Dynasty China by Yang Wan-Li

Yang Wan-Li (1127-1206) is one of China's "four masters of Southern Sung poetry." These poems were written at what could be seen as a low point in Sung history: an invasion by the Jurchens had forced the Sung to flee to the southern city of Hangchow. But they created at Hangchow a refuge of elegant solitude from which they gazed longingly toward the north, and in this quiet setting, they were able to enjoy the beauties of nature. Many of the poems are perfect verbalizations of the magnificent landscape paintings of the Sung painters: misty, ethereal and luminous. The poetry, however, also holds the annoyances of overwork, aching feet, creaking bones and the pleasures of wine, filling it with humanity and a zest for living.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: White Pine Press (NY)
Published: 10/01/2004
ISBN: 9781893996298
Pages: 160
Weight: 0.30lbs
Size: 6.98h x 5.04w x 0.41d

Review Citations: Multicultural Review 09/01/2005 pg. 18