The Silent Zither

This was inspired by the first line while practising my brush writing,

1 古琴聲盡燭淚影 The ancient zither is silent but the candle still weeps.
2 窗外寒泠月無情 Outside the window are where the cold and the heartless moon are.
3 前夢歌宴散如烟 Dissipated like mists are the wine banquets and songs of a former dream,
4 紛飛夜雪寂寞迎 And late are the snowflakes to welcome my loneliness.

1 古琴 literally means "ancient fretless zither". 古箏 on the other hand is one with movable frets and is very similar to the Japanese Koto. Dripping wax looks as like tears dripping.

古琴 

古箏

2 The moon is heartless and so is not around for the poet.

4 夜 can either mean “night” or “late”.

Sunday, July 10, 2022