Palace Poem [1]



I



In the Pavilion of Incense, I find a maid applying makeup—

blessed with the Emperor’s favor, she’s separated by a new rank.

For the Emperor, privately, she plays a cotton-stringed harp—

that evening, a court lady brings her a dress of gossamer.




II



With a court meeting adjourned, I avoid the sun at the Emperor’s Mother’s Palace— 

first leaves from plantains almost touch the curved railings.

Leisurely, I play Go with the Emperor’s Doctor—

I win a beaded jade hairpin. 



III



The Emperor’s kitchen serves dinner on gold plates;

fragrant luscious fruits, the fish soup—it’s difficult to rest my chopsticks!

I slowly call for extra food to be brought to Empress’ Palace—

the maids on duty there are first to eat the honored food.




IV



The bedding, too cold for a good dream—

I hold a silk fan, trace the flight of a firefly. In Empress’ Palace, [2] 

the long-drawn night passes beneath a cloudless moon’s emptiness—

wind from a western palace [3] carries sounds of laughter.




V



Curtains of satin sewn with golden thread, a plush lilac sitting cushion—

but I am alone with subtle musk, my scent for enticing men. [4]

Tomorrow, in a remote garden, I will enjoy flowers, and a jade sedan—

my servants now prepare the chair’s mat and blinds.




VI



I look after the water pavilion and planting of lotus,

but at this moment, I carry silk from the Palace of Nine Gates.

I change into a silk dress to meet the Emperor’s Messenger—

thick creases from sleeplessness in my blue-lined brows.




VII



A palace maid pours water, douses ashes in her small, duck-shaped stove— 

her makeup finished, she folds her cosmetics mirror closed.

Of late, the west garden is seldom strolled—

her jade flute and gold-leaf harp, half-covered in dust.




VIII



A newly-selected maid serves the Emperor’s bed—

near a silk screen, the scents of sex.

Next morning, a eunuch asks about the night—

she smiles, points to a charm hanging near her breast.




IX



A gold gilt saddle, bridle of jade rings, and loose lavender reins—

the Emperor rides from West Palace to Palace of Eternity.

In the distance, he looks back to the south gate, opens a fan of pheasant feathers—

sun shines on his overcoat, illumined red.




X



Busy with the Emperor’s work in West Palace,

a maid of title passes through hallway doors.

Another maid holds a candle, reports to the Emperor’s throne:

“The water clock has struck 1:00 a.m. at North Star Palace.” [5]




XI



At night, a eunuch brings a book from the library to a scholar;

the scholar takes a counter, [6] folds back a page, and spreads the book. [7]

With respect, the scholar tends the light of a golden lotus candlestick—

after walking to a sleeping room, he dismisses the attendant eunuch. [8]


[1] In classical Korean poetry, poems on palace life are rare. In old China, a palace maid was the only position wherein a woman could rise to be the equivalent of a Vice Minister.  It has been said Nansŏrhŏn longed to be a palace maid (most likely a scribe) in China so she could more freely explore her talents,  Nansŏrhŏn's motivations for this poem. The series should be read as consecutive poems on the theme of palace maids in Han Dynasty China. The maid speaking, her rank, the days and places change in almost all the sections; each section is its own individual voice on the theme.

[2] A palace for the empress when disfavored.

[3] A palace for concubines.

[4] The musk here is an extract from deer gland, most likely to win back the emperor’s favor.

[5] Quarters in the larger palace complex where the emperor normally resided.

[6] This counter counts how many times the passage has been read for memorization.

[7] Indicates where to stop reading the passage to be memorized.

[8] There is a scholar on duty until midnight in the palace. In this case, the eunuch informs the scholar of a study break.