Missing You and the August

¶ … Missing You" and "The August Sleepwalker"

Shu Ting's poetry provides people with a good example of "east meets west" kind of writing, as it leaves behind typical realist-like poetry in favor of embracing more humane elements, such as emotion and vision. Shu Ting's poem, "Missing You," brings together feelings and suggestive images, as she succeeds in creating an intense emotional-visual effect. There is an air of mystery surrounding the poem seeing that it most probably induces a state of confusion in its readers.

From the very first verse of "Missing You" it becomes clear that the poet wants her readers to learn that the poem is meant to present visual aspects, as well as aspects which are not destined to be seen. A "multi-colored chart" would normally portray something understandable and there is no apparent reason for it to be puzzling. However, the author immediately disorients the public by claiming that the chart is "without a boundary," thus it virtually becomes of no use, being impossible to read and appreciated for its true potential. It remains no more than an arrangement of colors and lines which would only succeed in drawing attention from the public for the visual image that it conveys.

Similar to how the chart fails to accomplish the goal that it is intended to, the "equation chalked on the board" has "no solution." The concept of material objects created for no purpose whatsoever is supported by the "one-stringed lyre" and the "pair of useless oars." One would be influenced to associate these depictions with the fact that many physical values are not as illuminating as they might seem, in spite of their rather succinct character. Sentiments involved in a condition such as a person who craves to be next to their lover are somewhat related to this first stanza. Longing for someone without having any hope that the respective person will appear is like owning an object that is meant to be used for a certain task but will never achieve its objective.

According to Shu Ting, one's hope that they will be reunited with the person that they long for never fades away. "Waiting buds" stand as potential improvements in one's life as they exist and continue to miss another and time goes on, with the sun setting once more acting as an observer from a distant world. The only thing which is clear about "Missing You" is the two tears which emerge in the final of the poem. Still, the poet is amazed to see the unexceptional result produced by such strong feelings and imagery.

Bei Dao's poem, "The August Sleepwalker" can be linked to "Missing You" mostly because of the fact that they address the same public, considering the fact that they were written in the same era, by individuals in similar conditions. Both of them being poets from the "Misty" community, it is not surprising that they chose to express part of their feeling through metaphors instead of putting them directly into words.