The book of jade

"The Book of Jade" by David Park Barnitz is a compilation of poems from the beginning of the 1900s that weaves together themes of love, attractiveness, death, and a feeling of being tired of life. Drawing inspiration from both Eastern and Western stories, the poems are filled with mythology and religious references, creating a mix of images and feelings. The poems explore what it means to be human, contrasting the beauty of affection and nature with the reality of life ending. Through detailed descriptions, Barnitz explores the sadness of living, the exhaustion that comes with enjoyment, and the presence of death. Flowers, opium, and twilight reappear as symbols of longing and despair as characters face difficult relationships with beauty, time, and their own feelings. Through it all, the collection ponders on existence, love, and our mortality, suggesting that beauty and sadness are intertwined.