A Splintered Mirror gathers together poems by seven of the Chinese Misty Poets who writings proved one of the first signs of the democracy movement in China. Published clandestinely, or pasted upon walls, Misty poetry quietly exploded the rigid structures of official Chinese poetry, presenting a new poetics infused with personal emotions and private imagery. This collection displays the full range of human concerns, often poignant, evocative, and bittersweet expressions of personal longing—Gu Cheng’s stubborn dreams, Mang Ke’s weaving of time, nature, and emotion, Duo Duo’s sharp, self-mocking anger, and Bei Dao’s vision of art as a splintered mirror
