Chinese poem illustration: 关山月/ Fortress Mountain Moon by Li Bai
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The best one among Li Bai’s few Frontier and Fortress poetry(边塞诗). The moon comes up above the Sky Mountains(天山即今日之祁连山/Qilian mountains) is one of the many visions built into a Chinese mind by Li Bai through his unique wording, bold character and the exceptional long-sighted vision.
This poem started with the view of the vast, unique landscape featured with fortress, gobi desert, endless snow mountains in a full moon night, where is the battle fields through the history. The bold and positive feeling turned to be bitter homesick by the following history review and the current situation in fortress. One of the key words 色 or 邑 was discussed, where 邑 is normally considered as a better choice.
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