元结

Yuan Jie was a poet of the Tang dynasty. Works attributed to him in this collection, such as the twelve "Yuefu Series: Longshang" poems and "A Moonlit Banquet with Censor Liu," are classified under classical poetry and literary appreciation. Public information about his courtesy name, native place, dates of birth and death, and official career is limited, so no conjecture is offered here. Judging from the titles preserved, he made use of old yuefu themes to address real-life subjects: the "Longshang" pieces depict frontier scenery and the lot of soldiers, in plain language and with a somber tone, while "A Moonlit Banquet with Censor Liu" is a occasional poem of friendship and travel, voicing feeling amid a moonlit gathering. His style avoids ornamentation, stays close to the Han-Wei yuefu tradition, and values narrative and emotional resonance, giving him a distinctive place in Tang poetry. Three of his works are collected here, allowing readers to see his thematic and stylistic inclinations.