Volume 10

The Chinese character that graces the cover of Volume X, Number 2, means “poetry” in China. It is a fitting introduction to the major theme of this issue: contemporary poetry from the nation with more registered poets than any other nation on earth. With the help of Zhang Ziqing, head of the Foreign Language Institute at Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Wu KeMing, visiting professor at Assumption College and Clark University, and Deborah Leonard, also of Clark University, we have put together a portfolio of contemporary Chinese poetry and art. Zhang Ziqing states, “The Chinese prefer poetry about nature and love.” These selections try to portray that preference, a preference at least partially influenced by the artists’ awareness that they may have to account for their printed words many years from now.

We have published the Chinese calligraphy next to each poem so that those with access to the original text may judge for themselves how well the English language serves the original. Each poem was first translated into English and then edited and polished by one of our editors. What makes this issue special is that these poets are working poets much like the poets we publish on a regular basis in THE WORCESTER REVIEW. We hope you will enjoy this cross cultural exchange.

Our winter issue will feature the 1988 winners of the Worcester County Poetry Association’s annual contest. This year’s contest was judged by poet Stephen Dobyns of Syracuse University.

— Rodger Martin, Editor