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Poem for Liu Ya-tzu I cannot forget how in Canton we drank…

“Poem for Liu Ya-tzu I cannot forget how in Canton we drank tea and in Chungking went over our poems when leaves were yellowing. Thirty-one years ago and now we come back at last to the ancient capital Peking. In this season of falling flowers I read your beautiful poems. Be careful not to be torn…” quote by Mao Zedong
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“Poem for Liu Ya-tzu I cannot forget how in Canton we drank tea and in Chungking went over our poems when leaves were yellowing. Thirty-one years ago and now we come back at last to the ancient capital Peking. In this season of falling flowers I read your beautiful poems. Be careful not to be torn inside. Open your vision to the world. Don't say that waters of Kumming Lake are too shallow. We can watch fish better here than in the Fuchun River in the south.”

Mao Zedong

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poem reflects nostalgia for past places and relationships, urging openness to the world while cautioning against internal turmoil.

In simple terms: Remember past, stay open, avoid inner conflict.

Key Takeaway

Embrace change, stay vigilant.

Themes

nostalgia travel poetry

Mood

melancholic hopeful

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • reunion
  • literary gatherings
  • travel
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

cultural memory personal growth

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does “torn inside” symbolize for you?
  • How can you honor the past while moving forward?
A Different Perspective

Poetry can romanticize loss, overlooking present challenges.

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