Book: Collected Poems of Xu Zhimo

Introduction
"Collected Poems of Xu Zhimo" is a collection of the works of Chinese poet Xu Zhimo, released in 1990. Xu Zhimo, born in 1897, was a popular modern Chinese poet who is popular for his unique mix of standard Chinese poetry and Western modernist literary methods. His works are deeply individual, instilled with his own experiences, and characterized by a strong romantic spirit. His ingenious use of language and form broke free from the restraints of classical Chinese poetry and indicated a brand-new direction for Chinese literature. This collection serves to introduce the English-speaking world to the appeal and power of Xu Zhimo's poetry and to showcase the development of modern Chinese literature.

A New Approach to Chinese Poetry
Xu Zhimo was a main figure in the New Culture Movement and the May Fourth Movement in China in the early 20th century. These were intellectual and cultural movements that looked for to break away from standard Chinese thinking and revitalize the country through Western concepts, science, and democratic worths. Xu's poetry reflected this cultural shift, as he looked for to totally free Chinese poetry from the restrictions of conventional types and topic. He embraced free verse as his chosen kind and drew motivation from English Romantic poets such as Shelley, Keats, and Wordsworth.

Xu's use of complimentary verse liberated his poetry from the stiff structures of classical Chinese verse, enabling a higher series of expression and exploration of styles. He left from the conventional subjects of Chinese poetry, choosing instead to concentrate on individual experiences, emotions, and the beauty of nature. His poetry is defined by an extreme emotional life and a vivid imagery drawn from the world around him.

The Influence of the West
Xu Zhimo was among the very first Chinese poets to study in the West and freely accept Western literary and cultural impacts. He studied at Columbia University in the United States and later at King's College, Cambridge in England. His time abroad substantially affected his worldview and poetic style. He was exposed to the works of Western poets such as Wordsworth, Whitman, and Tagore, and he started to see Chinese poetry as too bound by custom and inadequate for expressing the intricacy of contemporary life.

Upon returning to China, Xu used the principles of Western modernism to his work, introducing a brand-new era of Chinese poetry. His pioneering efforts in equating Western literary works likewise played a vital role in introducing modernism to China and continues to affect subsequent generations of Chinese poets.

Styles and Subject Matter
The poems in this collection cover a wide range of subject, from romantic love and the appeal of the natural world to the expedition of the self and the human condition. One of the most popular poems in this collection, "Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again", exemplifies Xu's romanticism and deep attachment to nature. It is inspired by his time spent at Cambridge University, and it is filled with lush pictures of the Willows, the River Cam, and the "golden willow by the river's bank".

Another repeating theme in Xu's poetry is the tension between the old and the brand-new. Many of his poems embody a struggle for change and modernity, an urge to break free from cultural and societal restrictions, and a pursuit of specific freedom.

Tradition and Impact
Xu Zhimo's poetry has had a long-lasting effect on Chinese literature, representing an important turning point in its development. His innovative style and themes have actually motivated various Chinese poets, who have actually continued to check out these styles in more contemporary and speculative ways. The "Collected Poems of Xu Zhimo" provides readers an extensive insight into the genius of this pioneering poet and acts as a testimony to his groundbreaking role in the development of modern-day Chinese poetry.