The journal of

21st Century Chinese Poetry 《廿一世纪中国诗歌》is an independent journal committed to showcasing the best of contemporary Chinese poetry. We exist to discover and celebrate poetry and the Chinese poets that write them with the largest possible Anglophone audience.

In the early twentieth century, The May Fourth Movement (1917-1921) launched an era where vernacular Chinese was for the first time accepted as a legitimate poetic voice. This was followed by an outpouring of verse written in 'plain speech' by people from all walks of life in contrast to the classical, elitist poetic forms of imperial China.

A century has now almost passed since these 'new' poetic voices emerged. Vernacular poetry has continued to blossom in poetry journals and in cyberspace.

The editor and translators at 21st Century Chinese Poetry are committed to translating poets from across China who would otherwise remain virtually unknown to Western audiences.

Please send all enquiries, suggestions and corrections regarding 21st Century Chinese Poetry to Meifu Wang at:

editor@modernchinesepoetry.com.

Founder and Editor
Meifu Wang

POEM OF THE DAY 每日一首

RUSTED LOVE

• By Gu Baokai


• Translated by Duck Yard Lyricists*


• A ceaseless drizzle falls on winter's wharf,
• and falls on life's journeys, too.
• I tried to call out your name but swallowed it.
• I dare not touch those things that taper to a pointed end,
• the heads of weed, the bristles of barley, a flimsy light.
• I see a tree that summons a lifetime of strength just to
• heal its wounds.
• That day the earth was split asunder by a thunderstorm,
• and things hidden in the dark suddenly became clear.


• *Duck Yard Lyricists is a group of devoted poetry lovers: Meifu Wang, Peter Micic, Michael Soper, & Johan Ramaekers


• Symultaneouly broadcast in China via Wexin （微信） by our partner — China's Poetry Journal （诗刊）: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/5wneVY40LDVfMnxHJqUDOg

All rights reserved. Reproduction with permissions only. 版权所有，未经许可，切勿转载，违者必究。