Poetry is one type of the ancient poetry. Ci poetry has several names, and it is also known as musical Ci poetry because it can be sung to the music. As the length of verse in a Ci poem differs, it is also called "Long and Short Verses". The reason why there are more than one name concerning Ci poetry lies in the close relationship between Ci poetry and music and its difference from traditional poetry in terms of characteristic of form. Ci poetry has various names of cadence which we called "tune" such as The Moon over West River, The River All Red and Dreamlike Song, etc.

As a new type of poetry, Ci reached its zenith in Song Dyansty (960 - 1279). Like Tang poetry, Song Ci poetry holds a very important position in the history of Chinese literature.

In the course of its development, many outstanding Ci poets, such as Su Shi, Li Qingzhao, Xin Qiji and Lu You emerged.

Su Shi's Ci poems are characteristic of passion, refreshment and melllifluence. The contents of his poems are rich in terms of subject: some expressed his patriotism, some described screens of country, some depicted grievance when lovers had to apart.

Li Qingzhao is and outstanding Ci poetess. Her works are exquisite, refined and full of true feelings. She expressed her understanding and pursuit of true love, described the impact of the changing seasons on human's sentiment, and reflected the misery of the people suffering from the decline of their country and the disasters befalling fimilies. Many of her moving verses such as

"Can't you see?
Can't you see?
The green leaves are fresh but the red flower are fading!"

"This feeling is unable to be removed.
It was shown on my knitted eyebrows a moment ago but has now come to mean my heart."

show her poetic gifts.

Xin Qiji is the most prolific among the Ci poets of Song Dynasty. His works teemed with heroism. His verses such as

"Half drunk i lit the lamp to look at my sword
After dreams of the bugles in our army camps."

"Green mountains are no bar
To the river flowing on to the sea."

have been circulating for generationgs. They are not only reflected his determination to resist the Jin troops, but also his deep love for his own country. Xin's Ci poems greatly broadened the themes and enriched the artistic syle of Song Ci poetry.

Untill today, Song Ci poems are still favored by the masses. The book Three Hundred Song Ci Poems can be regarded as a must for many families, and a great number of renowned Ci poems have been set to new tunes for extensive singing.