• The Cicada [Tang Poems]

    — Luo Binwang Of autumn the cicada sings; In prison I’m worn out with care. How can I bear its blue black wings Which remind me of my grey hair? Heavy with dew it cannot fly; Drowned in the wind, its song’s not heard Who would believe its spirit high? Could I express my…

  • The End of the Sky [Tang Poems]

    — Li Shangyin Spring is far, far away Where the sun slants its ray. If orioles have tear, Wet highest flowers here!

  • For the Cui Brothers at Luo’s Pavilion [Tang Poems]

    — Li Shangyin In the bamboo grove by the clean poolside I stay; Separated from you by towns, I miss you far away. The autumn gloom undispersed and late frost remain; Only the withered lotus listen to the rain.

  • Early Departure on Mount Shang [Tang Poems]

    — Wen Tingyun At dawn I rise, with ringing bells my cab goes, But grieved in thoughts of my home, I feel lost. As the moon sets over thatched inn, the cock crows; Footprints are left on wood bridge paved with frost. The mountain path is covered with oak leaves, The post-house bright with…

  • The Qingming Festival [Tang Poems]

    — Du Mu A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Qingming Festival; The wayfarers’ hearts are going to break on their way. Where can a wine shop be found to drown his sad hours? A cowherd points to a cot amid apricot flowers.

  • Spring in the South of the Yangtze [Tang Poems]

    — Du Mu Orioles sing for miles amid red blooms and green trees; By hills and rills wine shop streamers wave in the breeze. Four hundred eighty splendid temples still remain Of Southern Dynasties in the mist and rain.