Wu Mi Poetry Collection

Author: Wu Mi
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-11-01
Features: This book is the representative work of the renowned scholar and poet Wu Mi, collecting nearly all of the author's poems throughout his life, along with a large number of collaborative poems. Wu Mi's poetry is not only an excellent cultural heritage but also a reflection of his inner thoughts and emotional experiences, with many beautiful and moving verses. His collaborative poems with figures like Qian Zhongshu and Zhu Ziqing are particularly unique. The book also retains the original illustrations from the Wu Mi Poetry Collection. In the spring of Bingyin, after completing the organization of my poetic manuscripts, I wanted to write a long preface but had no time. I included a few miscellaneous notes to inform the readers.
(1) Publishing a poetry collection was considered a very significant matter in ancient times. Even before one's passing, it was believed that one should wait until their later years. It required a lifetime of effort, deliberation, refinement, and revision; then, a strict selection process to choose a few poems for publication. Works from before the age of thirty or forty were often not included. Even the older generation still follows this practice. Writing poetry and prose is something that should be handled with great care. The dedication and meticulousness of the ancients in this regard are deeply respected; one would never dare to criticize them. However, times have changed, and people's perspectives have evolved. With the convenience of printing and low costs, many now publish poetry collections. Since the popularity of new poetry, the number of poetry collections published for poets under the age of twenty has been overwhelming. When I compiled this volume, although I did not follow the crowd, I did borrow the intention of the present. I dare not compare myself to the past sages or claim undue arrogance. This must be solemnly stated at the beginning, and I hope readers will understand.
(2) The poems in this collection span from the year Wuxin in the 34th year of the Guangxu era, when I first began composing poetry, to the present day. Every poem is included without any omissions. They are all based on the original compositions, with no changes made afterward, to preserve their authenticity. Poetry is an expression of emotions and experiences at a specific time and place, so when writing, one must pour their heart into it, striving for beauty and refinement. However, once a poem is completed, it should not be altered. In different times and places, the emotional essence of the poem cannot be rediscovered. It is like using a single lens to take multiple photographs; the results would be blurred and indistinguishable. Moreover, retaining the complete manuscripts with all their original parts allows one to trace their life's experiences and serves as material for studying the process of imitation and creation in poetry.
(3) There is no fixed method for writing poetry; it varies from person to person. In my humble opinion, while poetry must adhere to rules and regulations, sincerity in emotions is paramount. In this world, everything can be feigned, but poetry cannot. One must exercise restraint in all aspects of life, but the emotions in poetry should be allowed to flow naturally. Forcing them is impossible, and suppressing them is equally difficult. If I fear that my shortcomings will be known, I would not have written poetry. If ordinary people cannot understand or respect my emotions, then they should not see my poetic manuscripts. Without sincerity, one cannot write poetry. The accumulation of ornate words and the manipulation of allusions in classical poetry, the vagueness and fragmentation in modern poetry, and the artificiality and pretense—all stem from a lack of genuine emotions and a refusal to express them openly. My poetry strives for sincerity and clarity, and this principle remains unchanged. However, as an ordinary person with faint emotions and insufficient knowledge, my poems may be empty, lacking in language, and unrefined. Yet, I hope that readers will not dismiss the idea that sincerity is the essence of poetry because of my poor performance.
(4) I once believed that in one's lifetime, one should strive to complete a poetry collection and a novel. The poetry collection preserves one's subjective emotions, while the novel records one's objective experiences. Poetry captures the impressions of external circumstances on the heart, while the novel documents an individual's position in society. Poetry is inward and refined, while the novel is outward and broad. Thus, I would say that the novel is a distilled form of life, and poetry is a further refinement of that distillation. My motivation for writing poetry is to express fleeting emotions and preserve the history of my life. The purpose of compiling this poetic manuscript is to serve as a personal reading companion, revisiting the old dreams of the past. On windy mornings or rainy evenings, by the dim light of a lamp on my desk, during times of hardship or depression, I can take this volume, reflect deeply, and immerse myself in its verses. My youthful emotions and past experiences will emerge vividly before my eyes, as if watching a film—a peculiar and comforting pleasure. However, life's experiences are vast, complex, and ever-changing. In my prime, I was too busy to dwell on them. Therefore, the poems I have recorded are merely a tiny fraction of my entire experience. Upon reflection, I realize how much I lack. From this, we can derive a standard: the greatest poets in history have managed to incorporate the vast majority of their life experiences into their poetry. And what they write is precisely the most important and noble parts. Any two poets can be compared based on the quantity and quality of experiences reflected in their complete works.
(5) The compilation of this volume was also influenced by external circumstances. Wu Fangji, a truly great poet of the modern era, is widely recognized by those who know him. My friends urged me to publish his poetry collection, but fearing hesitation, they proposed that we publish a joint collection of our poems titled The Two Wu Poets. In terms of our friendship, we are indeed peers. However, in terms of poetic skill, the gap between us is vast, and I am deeply self-aware of it. Since this volume is now complete, I sincerely hope that my knowledgeable friends and teachers will provide honest guidance without reservations. Additionally, during the compilation, I was greatly helped by Zhou Guangwu, who meticulously transcribed the manuscript by hand, spending a significant amount of time on it. My heartfelt gratitude is expressed here.
March 15, 1926, Wu Mi wrote in the West Pavilion by the Lotus Pond at Tsinghua University.