SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

  • Chrysanthemums [Tang Poems]

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    Ana

    — Yuan Zhen Around the cottage like Tao’s autumn flowers grow; Along the hedge I stroll until the sun slants low. Not that I favor partially the chrysanthemum, But it is the last flower after which none will bloom.

  • The Violet Inkstand of Master Yang [Tang Poems]

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    Ana

    — Li He The mason of Duanzhou has marvel-doing hands, Whetting his knife to carve blue clouds, aloft he stands. He grinds the stone in order to make an inkwell; Violet flowers look dim like cold blood shed pell-mell. Black flowers seem like spring at noon behind the screen; The pine-soot ink steeped in…

  • To the Early Wild Geese [Tang Poems]

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    Ana

    — Du Mu The foe shoot arrows on frontier in autumn day; The startled grieved wild geese disperse and fly away. The statue sees their shadows pass beneath the moon bright; The lonely palace hears their cries in candlelight. You know the foe would run their horses therefore long. Could you go back one…

  • Frost and Moon [Tang Poems]

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    Ana

    — Li Shangyin No cicadas trill when I first hear wild geese cry; The high tower overlooks water blending with the sky. The Moon Goddess and her Maid of Frost are cold-proof; They vie in beauty in moonlight over frosty roof.

  • To the Cicada [Tang Poems]

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    Ana

    — Li Shangyin High, you can’t eat your fill; In vain you wail and trill. At dawn you hush your song; The tree is green for long. I drift as water flows; And waste my garden grows. Thank you for warning due, I am as poor as you.

  • Falling Flowers [Tang Poems]

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    Ana

    — Li Shangyin The guest has left my tower high, My garden flowers pell-mell fly. Here and there over the winding way They say goodbye to parting day. I won’t sweep them with broken heart, But wish they would not fall apart. Their love with spring won’t disappear, Each dewdrop turns into a tear.