On October 12, 2023, it was reported that renowned Taiwanese poet Yeh Hsien, born Wang Ching-lin, passed away at the age of 92 in Vancouver. Following the news, many netizens in Taiwan took to social media to express their condolences.
In a post made early on the 12th, Yeh Hsien’s social media account shared the news of his passing along with an excerpt from his first poem, “I Am a Spoonful of Quiet and Beautiful Little Flowers,” published in 1954. The poem reads, “In the thin soil between her toes, delicate roots grow. I do not wither, nor bear fruit; I am a spoonful of quiet and beautiful little flowers.”
Born in 1932 in Nanyang, Henan, Yeh Hsien moved to Taiwan in 1949. In 1954, he co-founded the Genesis Poetry Society with Zhang Mo and Luo Fu, launching the “Genesis” poetry magazine. This trio became known as the “Iron Triangle” of Taiwanese poetry and played a pivotal role in shaping modern poetry in Taiwan.
According to reports from various Taiwanese media outlets, including United Daily News and China Times, Yeh Hsien held significant editorial positions, serving as the chief editor of “Young Lion Literature” and as deputy editor-in-chief of “United Daily News.” He authored several works, including the “Yeh Hsien Poetry Collection,” “Studies on New Chinese Poetry,” and “Voices beyond the Strings,” and later moved to Canada in his later years.
Throughout his decades-long editorial career, Yeh Hsien actively organized awards to encourage submissions from Chinese writers worldwide, and he received the Taipei Cultural Award in 2023. He was also a passionate advocate for cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, being referred to as the “first swallow heralding literary exchanges between both sides.”
In his “Memoirs,” Yeh Hsien reflected on the significant impact his hometown had on his life and artistic voice. He identified two main sources of inspiration for his writing: his mother and his homeland.
Reports indicate that in front of his home in Vancouver, he placed a piece of cobblestone, brought from his hometown of Nanyang, which his grandmother and mother had used. He once told his daughter that, a hundred years later, his ashes should be interred alongside this stone, so he could remain forever connected with his mother and his roots.
Following the news of his passing, Taiwanese writer Chiang Hsun took to social media to pay tribute, stating, “In remembrance of the poet Yeh Hsien, who inspired me in my youth, I will always cherish his gentle and tolerant voice.”
Numerous others shared their thoughts online, saying things like, “His great ideals will live on in our hearts,” “May Yeh Hsien rest in peace,” and “The Chinese literary world is fortunate to have had him; we are grateful for his contribution.”
