Poems of Yu
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Summary
In the common view, poetry is associated with youth, but Yu Qiuyu says: “True poetry lies in old age, because he has pursued every pursuit and lost every goal; what remains is to live life like a poem. He has the vast sky and white clouds, a beautiful late life with no practical purpose, and the ability to live quietly—that is poetry.”
The book is divided into four parts: the first, “Flavors Close at Hand,” writes of the poetic in everyday life; the second, “Thoughts from Afar,” offers philosophical reflections; the third, “Looking Back on Fleeting Years,” recalls the past in verse; the fourth consists of classical-style poems, mostly on life’s encounters and insights.
With these long-hidden lines, the author makes them public for the first time, hoping other souls will respond.
The book may also be called Mr. Yu Qiuyu’s spiritual autobiography, through which readers can glimpse the intimate emotions and thoughts deep in his heart.
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Longtime readers of Yu Qiuyu's prose who wish to understand the author more deeply from another side
- Readers interested in contemporary Chinese poetry, especially the work of scholar-poets
- People seeking a moment of quiet and deep introspection in a fast-paced life
- Literature lovers who wish to own a representative collection that reflects the full range of the author's creative work
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting Yu Qiuyu-style long historical or cultural essays
- Readers who prefer only highly avant-garde, experimental forms of modern poetry
Reading tips
- Read a few familiar Yu Qiuyu essays first, then open the poems and compare the different flavor of his language and emotional expression
- There is no need to read in order; dip in as the mood takes you, keeping it as an intermittent bedside or desktop companion, savoring one or two poems at a time
- While reading, note the composition dates at the end of the poems; combined with the author's life stages and travels, they deepen one's sense of the mood in each poem
About the publisher
Beijing United Publishing Co., Ltd. is a publisher known for its literature and history titles, with 2,065 books in the collection. Its publishing covers foreign literature, contemporary Chinese prose and essays, history, folk literature, and cultural books. Its list ranges from Sima Qian's complete edition of the Records of the Grand Historian to foreign classics such as The Book of Disquiet, All Quiet on the Western Front, Snow Country, The Stranger, and Jean-Christophe, as well as modern Chinese works including Teahouse and Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk. Its authors and translators include Yasunari Kawabata, Fernando Pessoa, Erich Maria Remarque, Jin Xinyi, Zhou Miao, and Chen Chao. Public information is limited, but its catalogue reflects a balance between Chinese and foreign literary classics and historical and cultural works.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 余秋雨简介
- 自序
- 第一部分 身边滋味
- 我的家谱
- 此生匆匆
- 婉拒
- 享受寂寞
- 我家几案
- 拟情诗
- 你的眉眼
- 懂她
- 你的过去
- 塑造对方
- 何人是我
- 我的科举
- 小灯
- 百年之酒
- 妻子的马
- 祖母含笑
- 历险自勉歌
- 门房
- 遇见一人
- 那两个人
- 三步
- 在厨
- 一块抹布
- 年糕
- 外公的咳嗽
- 第二部分 天边思绪
- 如如
- 何必再说
- 雪地酒人
- 秘色瓷
- 美的安排
- 移居
- 乡下父亲
- 历时悠久
- 黄昏
- 远峰
- 界外
- 第三部分 流年回顾
- 一岁
- 二岁
- 三岁
- 四岁
- 五岁
- 六岁
- 七岁
- 八岁
- 九岁—十一岁
- 十二岁
- 十三岁—十六岁
- 十七岁
- 十八岁—十九岁
- 二十岁—二十五岁
- 二十五岁—三十五岁
- 三十五岁—四十五岁（上）
- 三十五岁—四十五岁（下）
- 四十六岁—
- 第四部分 古体诗词
- 水龙吟·自况
- 浪淘沙·黑海银桅
- 踏莎行·苦旅
- 七律·吾妻
- 七律·写给母校
- 七绝·题家壁
- 七律·中国哲学
- 风入松·诗禅境
- 书法选
- 名家论余秋雨
- 余秋雨文化大事记
FAQ
Is this book very different in style from Yu Qiuyu's other works?
What are the poems mainly about?
Is this book suitable for beginners to poetry?
Comments
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About the author
Yu Qiuyu was born in 1946 in Yuyao, Zhejiang (now part of Cixi). He graduated from the Department of Dramatic Literature at the Shanghai Theatre Academy and later served as its president. A cultural historian, art theorist, and essayist, he is known for works such as A Bitter Journey Through Culture, Notes from a Mountain Retreat, and Frosty Cold Long River, which helped establish the style of “cultural prose.” Blending historical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal experience, his writing has reached a wide Chinese-speaking readership. His subjects extend beyond travel-related essays to literary appreciation, Eastern philosophy, and modern poetry; works in the collection, including An Interpretation of Laozi and Poems by Yu, along with his essays on cultural aesthetics, show his continued exploration across different genres.
