李端

Li Duan, whose dates of birth and death and native place remain unknown, can only be understood through his surviving works, as public information about him is limited. Nine of his works are included here, among them "Seeing a Guest Off Eastward," "Boudoir Feelings," "To an Old Man in the Mountains," "Song Lyrics: Mooring at Jingzhou," "Inscribed on the Room of Monk Zhun at Yunji Temple," and "Mooring at Baling at Evening," with some pieces recorded more than once. These titles show that Li Duan wrote mainly classical poetry on themes of farewell, boudoir longing, gifts and replies, travel, and inscriptions. He often expresses sorrow at parting and reflections on life through departing travelers, a woman's secluded feelings, quiet mountain dwellings, and night moorings on a journey. His language is concise and natural, his tone clear and gentle, and he skillfully entrusts subtle emotions to ordinary scenery, embodying the restrained resonance of classical poetry. The library classifies his work under ancient poetry and literary appreciation, indicating that it is still read and enjoyed as classical verse. Because biographical material is lacking, his family background, official career, and circle of friends cannot be described in detail; the assessment therefore centers on the themes and style noted above.