"I Love this Land" by AI Qing (1938)
1 additions to document , most recent 5 months ago
| When | Why |
|---|---|
| Apr-30-25 | A childhood living with my father in the remote hinterlands of China, exiled to do reform labor during Mao’s murderous purge of intellectuals. While my father was cleaning latrines, scraping feces that had frozen “into icy pillars,” I (a 10-year-... |
If I were a bird
I would sing hoarsely
Of this storm-buffeted land
This river forever surging with out grief and outrage
This furious wind that never stops blowing
And the warm dawn that comes from the woods
And then I would die,
Letting even my feathers rot in the earth.
Why do I so often have tears in my eyes?
Because I love this land so deeply.
Added April 30, 2025 at 12:22pm
by Debbie Abilock
Title: A childhood living with my father in the remote hinterlands of China, exiled to do reform labor during Mao’s murderous purge of intellectuals. While my father was cleaning latrines, scraping feces that had frozen “into icy pillars,” I (a 10-year-...
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A pencil drawing of a bird lying peacefully on the forest floor, clearly deceased, gently decomposing as rich earth and foliage begin to embrace its body. The bird, with delicate feathers is shown midway through decomposition—its feathers and skin blending softly into the damp soil beneath, while moss, mushrooms, and tiny wildflowers start to grow around and through its remains. Sunlight filters through tall trees overhead, illuminating the scene with a sense of reverence and peaceful acceptance. The setting includes natural details such as moist leaves, earthy textures, earthworms, and roots gently weaving into and around the bird, signifying nourishment and final return to the land. The surrounding environment reflects a diverse, healthy ecosystem, symbolizing transformation, unity, and the natural cycle of life, death, and renewal without sensationalism. Artistic style: photorealism with subtle, respectful shading; wide-angle perspective to capture the forest floor and the integration of bird and earth. quality: ‘hd’
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A pencil drawing of a bird lying peacefully on the forest floor, clearly deceased, gently decomposing as rich earth and foliage begin to embrace its body. The bird, with delicate feathers, is shown midway through decomposition—its feathers and skin blending softly into the damp soil beneath, while moss, mushrooms, and tiny wildflowers start to grow around and through its remains. Sunlight filters through tall trees overhead, illuminating the scene with a sense of reverence and peaceful acceptance. The setting includes natural details such as moist leaves, earthy textures, earthworms, and roots gently weaving into and around the bird, signifying nourishment and final return to the land. The surrounding environment reflects a diverse, healthy ecosystem, symbolizing transformation, unity, and the natural cycle of life, death, and renewal without sensationalism. Rendered entirely in shades of gray to evoke a contemplative, subdued mood, emphasizing texture and natural form over color. Artistic style: photorealism with subtle, respectful shading; wide-angle perspective to capture the forest floor and the integration of bird and earth. quality: ‘hd’
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Text Analysis: Ambiguities and Context
You asked about what was happening in November 1938 in Guilin that prompted Ai Qing to write his poem. Your question is clear and directly references a specific historical context (Guilin, November 1938) and a specific literary work by Ai Qing. There are no major ambiguities, but it’s important to note that historical poetic inspiration can be influenced by both personal and broader socio-political events. To answer accurately, it’s necessary to connect the timeline of Ai Qing’s life, Chinese history, and the poem’s imagery.
Important Sentences from the Poem and Their Significance
1. “I would sing hoarsely / Of this storm-buffeted land”
– This line sets the tone, expressing the poet’s anguish and desperation. The “storm-buffeted land” references a nation in turmoil, likely reflecting the wartime situation in China at the time.
2. “This river forever surging with our grief and outrage”
– The river is a metaphor for the people’s pain and anger, possibly alluding to the suffering caused by war and upheaval.
3. “This furious wind that never stops blowing”
– The wind represents ongoing chaos or relentless hardship, again likely referencing the national crisis.
4. “Why do I so often have tears in my eyes? / Because I love this land so deeply.”
– These concluding lines reveal the poet’s motivation: profound love for his homeland, despite its suffering and strife.
These sentences are crucial because they capture the poet’s deep emotional response to the context he was living in—national trauma and personal identification with his country’s plight.
Background Knowledge: Guilin, November 1938, and Ai Qing
- Historical Context: In November 1938, China was in the midst of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). After the fall of Wuhan in October 1938, Japanese forces continued advancing south, and many intellectuals, artists, and refugees fled to safer cities, including Guilin. Guilin became a temporary haven for writers and artists escaping conflict zones in eastern and central China.
– Second Sino-Japanese War (Wikipedia)
- Ai Qing’s Life: Ai Qing (1910–1996) was an influential Chinese poet who experienced political persecution and was deeply affected by his country’s suffering. He was in Guilin during this turbulent time, along with other writers, as part of the larger intellectual migration.
– Ai Qing Biography (Britannica)
- The Poem’s Imagery: The poem’s references to storms, rivers, and wind reflect the turmoil and violence of the war, as well as the resilience and enduring hope of the Chinese people. The “warm dawn” suggests hope for recovery and renewal.
- Literary Significance: Ai Qing’s poem is an example of “patriotic poetry” that emerged during the war, expressing both despair and love for the country, and offering solace and inspiration to his readers.
These elements are important to understand how the historical, personal, and literary contexts intersected to inspire Ai Qing’s writing in Guilin in 1938.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Sino-Japanese_War
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ai-Qing
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilin
(If a link above does not work, you can find the source by searching with the information provided.)
Suggested Background Reading Resources
- Britannica
- JSTOR
- Poetry Foundation
- Cambridge University Press
- Google Scholar
Keywords:
Invitation to Reflect Further
Now that you have some historical and literary context, I invite you to re-read Ai Qing’s poem. Consider how the imagery and emotions connect to the events in Guilin in 1938. If you notice any other details or have further questions about the poem or its context, please add them in a reply!
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What a moving poem you’ve chosen! You’re ready to let your ideas soar—there are so many ways you could connect with this poem and take your writing in your own direction. Remember, you can write, draw, compose music, or do anything that helps you express your response. Let’s spark your imagination!
Think about something you care about so much that it makes you feel strong emotions—write or create something that shows how your love for that thing shapes the way you see the world.
You might use this line: Because I feel for…
[suggested sub-theme 1: a favorite place]
[suggested sub-theme 2: a person or group you care about]
[suggested sub-theme 3: a memory that won’t let go]
[suggested sub-theme 4: a dream you keep chasing]
[suggested sub-theme 5: a cause that matters to you]
Imagine a land, a home, or a world that faces challenges—describe how you, an animal, or even something magical would try to protect it or tell its story.
You might use this line: I would tell of…
[suggested sub-theme 1: storms that pass through]
[suggested sub-theme 2: voices that rise up]
[suggested sub-theme 3: the way hope returns]
[suggested sub-theme 4: memories that stay behind]
[suggested sub-theme 5: changes that come with time]
Think about what it means to leave a mark behind, even after you’re gone—write, draw, or create something that shows the traces of a life, a feeling, or a story that stays in the world.
You might use this line: Even after I…
[suggested sub-theme 1: have to say goodbye]
[suggested sub-theme 2: finish something important]
[suggested sub-theme 3: let go of an old dream]
[suggested sub-theme 4: grow up or change]
[suggested sub-theme 5: watch something end]
You are ready to start! Here’s a way to get going:
Would you like to see how I turned the poem into these sparks and lead lines? I can show you my thinking and explain what I noticed in the poem that inspired each idea!
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