Abstract: Yang Shen wrote many poems on a variety of subjects in Yunnan, Weeping Willow being one of them, a poem believed by the critics to be of self-mourning, self-thinking and self-portraying sentiments. Due to Yang’s suffering and the self-thinking theme in Weeping Willow, the poem is deeply loved by generations of empathic literati, both natives and those from the heartland, and was even inscribed in the walls and stones in their houses, hotels and building facades. Later poets inspired by Yang Shen also write on similar themes, such as touchiness of changing times, praise of natural beauty, empathy for Yang’s hardship, and distress over their own predicament. Yang’s original work and those inspired by him thus elevated Weeping Willow to classic cannon by showing its lasting vitality.

Key words: Yang Shen, Weeping Willow, inscription, stone carving, influence