Xu zhimo was one of the modern famous romantic poets of 20C. He was given the name of Zhangxu (章垿) and the courtesy name of Yousen (槱森), later changed his courtesy name to Zhimo (志摩). He was graduated from Peking University and then came to the Cambridge to study policy and economy. After two years studying in Cambridge, he was deeply influenced by the romanticism and aesthetic poets of Europe and America. In 1922 he went back to China and became a leader of the modern poetry movement. In 1923, he founded the Crescent Moon Society.

Xu, a great poet, lived quite short life, however, he made great contribution to world and Chinese literature. He was one of the first Chinese writers to successfully naturalize Western romantic forms into modern Chinese poetry. His poetries are the treasure of world literature.

About love
Xu’s first wife was Zhang Youyi(sister of Chinese famous politician Junyou Zhang), however, this was an arranged marriage, Xu didn’t love Zhang anymore. Both of them didn’t know each other and had’t seen each other until they got married. In 1921, while in London, Xu came across Lin Huiyin and soon fell in love with her, although Zhang gave birth to two sons, Xu still divorced his wife. Being not told Xu’s marriage, Lin went back to China and refused Xu. Four years later, Xu met his last lover- Lu Xiaoman-a married woman. For the love they want, they betrayed their family and friends, finally they got married. But not for long, Lu became more and more depressed, Xu had to take several jobs in different cities to fill the large expenses by Lu. As early as eight o'clock on November 19, 1931, Xu Zhimo flied to participate Lin Huiyin’s evening lecture organized by the Chinese architectural art. When the aircraft arrived in Jinan(济南) area, it suddenly became foggy. Unexpectedly, the aircraft crashed into the mountains, all the crew - two pilots and Xu died in this accident.

Poetry

《再别康桥》
Saying Good-bye to Cambridge Again
徐志摩 by Xu Zhimo

轻轻的我走了， Very quietly I take my leave
正如我轻轻的来； As quietly as I came here;
我轻轻的招手， Quietly I wave good-bye
作别西天的云彩。 To the rosy clouds in the western sky.

那河畔的金柳 The golden willows by the riverside
是夕阳中的新娘 Are young brides in the setting sun
波光里的艳影， Their reflections on the shimmering waves
在我的心头荡漾。 Always linger in the depth of my heart.
软泥上的青荇， The floatingheart growing in the sludge
油油的在水底招摇； Sways leisurely under the water;

在康河的柔波里， In the gentle waves of Cambridge
我甘心做一条水草 I would be a water plant!
那榆荫下的一潭， That pool under the shade of elm trees
不是清泉，是天上虹 Holds not water but the rainbow from the sky;
揉碎在浮藻间， Shattered to pieces among the duckweeds
沉淀着彩虹似的梦。 Is the sediment of a rainbow-like dream?

寻梦？ 撑一支长篙， To seek a dream? Just to pole a boat upstream
向青草更青处漫溯， To where the green grass is more verdant;
满载一船星辉， Or to have the boat fully loaded with starlight
在星辉斑斓里放歌 And sing aloud in the splendour of starlight.

但我不能放歌， But I cannot sing aloud
悄悄是别离的笙箫； Quietness is my farewell music;
夏虫也为我沉默， Even summer insects heep silence for me
沉默是今晚的康桥！ Silent is Cambridge tonight!

悄悄的我走了， Very quietly I take my leave
正如我悄悄的来； As quietly as I came here;
我挥一挥衣袖， Gently I flick my sleeves
不带走一片云彩。 Not even a wisp of cloud will I bring away.