Xi Murong and Her Poem

"How can we chance upon each other

At my most beautiful moment?

For this scene, I've begged Buddha, 500 years non-stopping,

For the fate we can be interweaving.

Buddha hence changes me into a tree,

Standing by a road you'll be passing,

Blossoming, discreetly, under the sun

Every flower is my previous life's yearning.

When you trek near, listen carefully:

The trembling leaves are my longing passion.

But you pass; you pass carelessly, Leave,

Behind you, the tree that's shedding.

Dear, the shedding are not petals at all,

But my heart, my withered heart, crying!"

This is poet Xi Murong reading her work A Blossom Tree. By the end of 1980s, the poem was resounded by many youths and used in their lover letters. Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing Group has published Xi Murong's work many times. Editor Chen Xianfa from the group comments.

"Her poems have the power to touch the inner heart of people. In the modern society, people usually lead a busy and practical life. In Xi Murong's books, they can find what they lack in real life, like honesty, emotions and youth. So it's a kind of spiritual resonance."

By now Xi Murong has written more than 300 poems, which are collected in 6 books. The flower is a representative image in her verses and love used to be the maintheme. Lotus might be Xi Murong's favorite, for it has been depicted in her work over and again. In the Heart of Lotus, Xi Murong says: I am a summer lotus in full bloom. How I wish you can see me today. Oh luckless stranger. You either come early. Or you come too late.