Translating a classical Chinese poem sometimes calls for guesswork, in order to fill in the gaps in my understanding. These poems are so rich in cultural reference, it's hard for anyone not raised in the tradition to pick up even half the allusions. Not only that but much classical Chinese poetry is written in a terse or compact style, which makes it inherently subject to more than a single interpretation. At a certain point, you have to be willing to make your own intuitive leap in order to come up with a good reading of the poem.
Even after you make an intuitive leap, though, not everything always neatly lines up with your reading. It's a bit like trying to hold a cat in a bag, the way the meaning of the text will keep shifting about and can't be firmly grasped.
The last line of this poem by Tang Yin is a good example of what I mean. I think I understand this poem but then there's the last line, which makes me wonder about my tenuous perch.
A Picture Too Real
Tang Yin
From ancient times
Flowers have spoken
Of immortal beauty
Self too partakes
Of such beauty
No matter how
Ill-fated one’s luck
The lilting tune
Of Rainbows and Feathers
Continues – an unending dance
With a long winding train
Of golden brocade
The horse is perched
On a rocky slope
太真图
唐寅
古来花貌说仙娥
自是仙娥薄命多
一曲霓裳未终舞
金钿甲委马嵬坡
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