Poem on boating on the Qinhuai River

This poem by the Anhui-based artist Mei Qing relates the joys of an evening spent boating with a friend on the Qinhuai River in Nanjing. Mei’s delight in the city’s vibrant night life is reflected in the final line: “The flute music is hard to resist when intoxicated.” Like many Anhui artists, Mei made regular trips to Nanjing to meet other artists, shop for books, and sit for official examinations. An evening (or several) in the Qinhuai pleasure district was considered an essential part of any trip to the big city.