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Tu Mu (803–852) was born in Ch’ang-an to a family that had lost its wealth and power by the time he was a boy. Although he began his studies late, he excelled in the literary arts and served in a number of posts, though of ever-decreasing importance. Here, he expresses his disappointment through the persona of one of the emperor’s concubines. With the passing of summer, her fan has lost its function, and her ability to affect her own life is reduced to trying to swat fireflies. The “streets of Heaven” refers to those in the forbidden precincts where only the Son of Heaven and his concubines and eunuch attendants lived. During the hours after sunset on the seventh night of the seventh lunar month, the Weaving Maid and Herdboy stars (Vega and Altair) are directly overhead on either side of the Milky Way. And though they only meet one night a year on a bridge formed by the wings of magpies, this is still more frequent than this woman’s rendezvous with the emperor. Likewise, Tu Mu, who was known for his concern with social injustice, feels bereft of access to the royal presence and the means to effect change. The silver lantern (chu, “candle,” is a euphemism here for the celestial lanterns) is the moon, and the chill is that of loneliness, not the weather—which is still hot this time of year.

Autumn Evening

TU MU

Silver lantern autumn light chills her painted screen

she swats at passing fireflies with her small silk fan

at night the streets of Heaven look as cool as water

lying down she gazes at the Weaving Maid and Herdboy stars