Saturday 7 August 2010

Chinese Calligraphy



Calligrapher

By the lake in Beihai Park
A woman draws Chinese characters
In water on the paving-stones,
Using a brush like a pointed mop.
A whole poem, perhaps, is written there.
We watch it fade as the water dries.




I once had a few Chinese calligraphy lessons in Beijing. I soon gave up:

On the need to study longer with Yu Qi Long

Call that calligraphy ?
Chicken-scratchings !
No flow, no balance,
No interplay of yin and yang.
You must have more lessons.
You'll need a lifetime
To achieve the Ch'i.

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