Preface to The Poems of the Ninth Young Master of the Gan Family
I am the ninth young master of the Gan family. My talent is modest and my learning shallow, yet when emotion moves me, I give it voice in poetry, expressing my thoughts and feelings for my own amusement. The works collected here record what I have seen and felt in daily life: the pleasure of mountains and rivers, thoughts of moonlight and breeze, the affection between friends, and reflections on my own life. Each springs from the heart and flows forth naturally.
Poetry is where one's aspirations lead. My poems do not seek ornate flourishes, only sincerity that moves the heart. Between the lines, there may be lofty ambitions or a feeling of detachment; all come from the heart and arise naturally. My lyrics, meanwhile, are gentle and fresh, often dwelling on romance, the boundless beauty of moonlit nights, and feelings rendered with delicate care and heartfelt sincerity.
Even the small details of everyday life can become poetry. Rising at dawn and returning at dusk, flowers blooming and falling, clouds gathering and drifting: all can inspire fine lines. I take poetry for a friend and lyrics for a companion, seeking inspiration in life's little moments and finding beauty in the ordinary. Thus, while this collection may contain no works that astonish the world, it does offer lines that are fresh and refined, for kindred spirits to enjoy together.
Poetry is a vessel for feeling. Though I write for my own amusement, I also hope my poems and lyrics can touch the heartstrings and inspire a sense of shared feeling. If you read them and find a moment of joy, or something to ponder or feel, that will be enough to satisfy me.
This collection was not completed in a day. Only I know the hardships and joys along the way. Yet the art of poetry and lyrics brings joy in the making, so I spared no effort and at last completed this volume. I offer it to you all, that we may appreciate the beauty of poetry and lyrics together and journey through the realms of the soul.
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