Xi Mu-rong: A Poetic Symphony of Grasslands and Modernity

30 Second Overview: Xi Mu-rong was one of Taiwan's best-selling poets in the 1980s. Within a year of Seven Miles of Fragrance being published in 1981, it was reprinted seven times, sweeping across Taiwan and mainland China. She is also a painter trained in art school and a descendant of the Khalkha Mongols; after her first trip to the grasslands in 1989, her poetic focus shifted from urban lyricism to writing about ethnic culture.

A Background of Diverse Cultures

Xi Mu-rong's birth name was Muren Xilianbo, and she was born on October 15, 1943, in Jinggangpo, Chongqing. Her father, Xi Zhenduo (Mongol name: Lasekhdorg), was the first representative to the National Congress from the Khalkha Banner group, and her mother, Le Zhufang (Mongol name: Bayinbilig), was also of Mongol descent. This lineage originating from the grasslands gave her a sensitivity regarding "lost homeland" that transcended the experience of ordinary families who migrated to Taiwan. The upheaval of wartime forced Xi Mu-rong to feel the pain of displacement and the longing for her ancestral land from a young age.

In 1949, at the age of six, Xi Mu-rong moved with her family to Hong Kong. The international environment of Hong Kong exposed her to the confluence of Chinese and Western cultures, which profoundly influenced her later creative works. During her years growing up in Hong Kong, she was exposed to both traditional Chinese culture and Western literature and art.

In 1954, Xi Mu-rong settled in Taiwan with her family. Her life during her youth in Taiwan, particularly the natural scenery and humanistic environment of Taiwan, provided rich material for her poetic creation. The mountains, flora, and seasonal changes of Taiwan all became recurring images in her poetry.

Studying at the Department of Fine Arts, NTNU

After graduating from junior high school, Xi Mu-rong was admitted to the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University. Her professional training in fine arts cultivated a keen perception of color and composition—artistic qualities that were later integrated into her poetic creations.¹

During her time at NTNU, Xi Mu-rong achieved success in painting and began experimenting with literary creation, reading extensively in both Chinese and foreign poetry. The works of modern poets had a profound influence on her, allowing her to gradually develop her own poetic language.

After graduating from NTNU in 1963, Xi Mu-rong went to study at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, in 1964, and graduated in 1966. The museums, churches, and ancient architecture of Europe left a deep impression on her, broadening her creative horizons.²

Seven Miles of Fragrance: A Stunning Debut in Poetry

In the 1970s, Xi Mu-rong primarily worked as an artist and teacher; poetry was merely a hobby. However, the publication of the collection Seven Miles of Fragrance in 1981 made her an instant focus of the literary world. This collection was reprinted seven times within a year of its release, setting a sales record for modern Taiwanese poetry.³

The success of Seven Miles of Fragrance lies in its clarity—it is not overly complicated, yet it finds truth in simplicity and profound meaning in plainness. Xi Mu-rong excels at using common imagery from daily life, such as flowers, the moon, wind, and rain, to express complex inner feelings.

"A Tree in Bloom" became a classic of Chinese-language poetry: "How can I let you meet me / At my most beautiful moment? / For this, / I have prayed for five hundred years before the Buddha / Praying that we might form an earthly bond." This poem is widely recited today for its elegant imagery and moving emotion.

《Youth Without Regret》: A Poetic Retrospective of Youthful Years

Published in 1983, 《Youth Without Regret》 continued the success of 《Seven Miles of Osmanthus》. This poetry collection focuses on life themes such as youth, love, and friendship, showcasing the poet's profound insights into life. The title poem, 〈Youth Without Regret〉, expresses a longing for passing years and a celebration of youth. ⁴

Xi Mu-rong's poems often begin with a specific scene or object, gradually unfolding until they ultimately sublimate to a philosophical height. Another characteristic of 《Youth Without Regret》 is its musicality—it possesses a strong sense of rhythm that is well-suited for recitation, allowing readers to experience the beauty of the poetry through sound.

Prose Writing and the Mongolian Complex

In addition to poetry, Xi Mu-rong was also an essayist. In the early 1980s, she successively published prose collections such as 《成長的痕跡》 (Traces of Growth, 1982) and 《有一首歌》 (There is a Song), continuing her fresh poetic style with beautiful language and sincere emotion.

In 1989, she set foot on the Mongolian grasslands for the first time; this journey of seeking her roots had a profound impact on her. She began to create extensively in poetry and prose themed around Mongolia. Works such as 《我的家在高原上》 (My Home is on the Plateau) and 《江山有待》 (The Rivers and Mountains Await) demonstrate her deep affection for the grasslands and her reflections on ethnic culture. Using the form of modern poetry, she expressed a longing for ancient culture and an identification with her ethnic identity.⁵

《我給記憶命名》 (Naming My Memories), published in 2019, is her poetry collection from her later years. Looking back at a lifetime of wandering and root-seeking in her old age, the language has become even more tranquil and introspective.

The Perfect Combination of Painting and Poetry

As an artist trained in art school, Xi Mu-rong never abandoned painting. Her oil paintings have a fresh and natural style, highly consistent with her poetic style. What is even more remarkable is that her poems often possess strong visual imagery; readers feel as if they are viewing beautiful pictures while reading them.

Xi Mu-rong has held numerous poetry and art exhibitions, combining poetry and painting to find practical forms for cross-disciplinary cooperation between literature and fine arts, which has been warmly received by audiences.⁶

Educational Career and Cultural Inheritance

Starting in 1984, Xi Mu-rong taught in the Department of Fine Arts at Tunghai University, and she also taught for many years at Hsinchu Teachers College (now National Tsing Hua University's Teacher Education College). She believes that the core of art education is the inspiration of emotion and spirit; technique is merely a tool, while aesthetic feeling is the soul. Her teaching philosophy influenced many subsequent artists.

Xi Mu-rong also frequently lectured at schools and communities, sharing her creative insights with readers. Her warmth and sincerity have touched countless listeners and contributed to the popularization of poetry.

Literary Achievements and Historical Significance

Xi Mu-rong's poetry collections have sold over a million copies and have been translated into various languages for publication around the world. She has received recognition such as the Sun Yat-sen Literary Award and the National Arts Award.⁷

Unlike the refined elegance of Pai Hsien-yung or the rational critique of Lung Ying-tai, Xi Mu-rong chose a gentler path. In the fast-paced modern life, her poetry provides spiritual comfort to readers. Her works also demonstrate that the delicate sensibilities and unique perspectives of women can create literature that touches people's hearts.

References

Further Reading

• National Taiwan Museum of Literature — Works and artifacts of Xi Mu-rong curated at the National Taiwan Museum of Literature
• Pai Hsien-yung — A contemporary Taiwanese literary master, known for People of Taipei
• San Mao — A female writer from the same generation who wrote about foreign lands in the hearts of Taiwanese people