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.

All enquiries, suggestions and corrections regarding 21st Chinese Poetry should be directed to Meifu Wang at:

editor@modernchinesepoetry.com.

Founder and Editor
Meifu Wang

Poem of the day 一日一首

Dirt Road

by Meifu Wang

The dirt road and I, we resemble each other—
not very modern, nor durable.
In a camera lens, you will see us through a yellow haze.
If you wish to follow the road to the coconut beach,
it will take you a morning and an afternoon on foot,
but there is always a charming fragrance along the way.
When I close my eyes, I hear footsteps—
in groups of threes or fives, light and lively,
a chorus of footsteps, like a song with wings
that lifts me out of despair.

I would listen to it in the morning.
I would listen to it in the afternoon.

from 21st Century Chinese Poetry, No. 4