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Any office worker can relate, staring out the window and dreaming of an alternate lifestyle shorn of anodyne modernity.

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Come to think of it, Wei worked in an office even before the modern times. Now the poem makes more sense…

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This just completely changed my perception of Substack. If even one out of a thousand publications here are addressing subjects of such genuine importance as T'ang poetry, it's worth continuing to dig around.

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I am happy to hear that! There are all sorts of niche newsletters here.

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This is very good, Hyun Woo. Your commentary helped me with the poem, which is very allusive/elusive. As are the paintings, something just beyond. Thank you.

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That's what my commentary is exactly for! I think Tang poetry can often be allusive/elusive, and it's not just because a reader doesn't know the cultural context. I haven't thought the same with Qi Baishi's paintings, but maybe you are right.

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