Untitled (Two Poems)

Su ManshuMay 2017

3.6

Word count: 155 words
Chapters: 4

Summary

Su Manshu was a singular figure of early modern China. His life was marked by hardship, his temperament complex, his experiences rich and his fate unusual: a born romantic, trapped, tormented and finally displaced by love, he died young and left behind the posthumous name of the "Monk of Love." He was also a man of rare talent, with lucid, graceful prose and accomplished skills in poetry and painting. Such a singular figure and rare talent defies full description.

Editor's review

Su Manshu's poems have always been known for their lucid, plaintive quality, and these two untitled poems reveal both his craft and the emotional ground of his writing. What the book offers is not only poetry but the inner monologue of a singular early modern figure, steeped in hardship and deep feeling. Through the lines readers can sense his struggle between love and Zen, a wistful reluctance to speak out unfolding layer by layer within a short compass. The editor leaves ample space beyond the text, letting the lines speak for themselves. The book suits casual reading on quiet evenings, not to be finished at once but savored repeatedly. For readers who wish to understand the character of early modern classical-style poetry while drawing close to a complex soul, this small volume offers an entry point. Its value lies not in grand narrative but in presenting, within a minimal compass, one person's true stance before fate and feeling—a reading that leaves one lingering.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Literary readers interested in early modern classical-style poetry
Those who enjoy short lyrical works and are willing to reread them
Readers who wish to know Su Manshu and his emotional world
Those seeking quiet reading material and preferring slow evening reading

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting long narrative or full biography
Those who prefer modern vernacular and have little patience for classical-style poetry

Reading tips

Read through once without straining for full understanding, then read line by line, noting recurring images
Read alongside biographical material on Su Manshu to understand the emotional sources behind the lines
Note down lines that move you; rereading after a few days brings new insights

版权信息
失题（二首）
一
二

FAQ

Can I read these two poems without a foundation in classical-style poetry?

Yes. The diction is not abstruse and the images are fairly common. On the first reading, grasp the literal meaning without worrying about meter or allusion; simply feel the flow of emotion, and look up words and background later if you wish.

What emotions do these two poems mainly express?

Given the account of Su Manshu's life—trapped and tormented by love—the poems often convey melancholy and wistfulness. The exact wording should follow the text in the book; readers are encouraged to sense it from the lines themselves without presupposing a single interpretation.

Is it suitable to read in one sitting?

It is short and easy to finish at once, but lyrical short poems of this kind are better read slowly in several sessions. Reading one poem at a time and leaving time for reflection yields more than a single quick read.

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About the author

Su Manshu Author · Chinese · 1884–1918

Su Manshu (1884–1918), originally named Jian and styled Zigu, with the monastic name Manshu, was a native of Xiangshan, Guangdong, born in Yokohama, Japan. He was a modern poet, novelist, translator, and painter who took monastic vows several times and joined the Southern Society and the anti-Qing revolution. His classical-language fiction, represented by The Lone Swan and Jiangsha Ji, often depicts wandering lives and tender romances in a plaintive, refined style; poems such as Benshi Shi and Dongju are equally heartfelt, blending classical resonance with personal melancholy. He also translated works by Byron and Hugo, leaving a mark on Sino-Western literary exchange. His works in this collection number over forty, spanning fiction, poetry, and prose, and include classic works, social fiction, classical literature, and miscellaneous essays. Liu Yazi once compiled The Complete Works of Su Manshu, and his life and writing influenced later Mandarin Duck and Butterfly fiction and lyrical literature.