• The Young Pine [Tang Poems]

    — Du Xunhe While young, the pine tree thrusts its head amid tall grass; Now by and by we find it outgrow weed in mass. People don’t realize it will grow to scrape the sky; Seeing it tower in cloud, then they know it’s high.

  • Journal of the Drunken Old Man’s Pavilion

    The district of Chu is entirely surrounded by hills. Among the peaks in the southwest, the forests and valleys are especially beautiful. The one that appears lush, deep, and elegant is Mount Langya. After walking six or seven miles along the mountain path, one gradually hears the gurgling sound of water flowing out between…

  • Journal of the Small Stone Pond

    West from the small hill for one hundred and twenty steps, beyond the bamboo grove, I heard the sound of water, like the tinkling of jade pendants, which gladdened my heart. I cut through the bamboo to make a path, and descending, I saw a small pond, the water exceptionally clear and cold. The…

  • The Weeping Willow [Tang Poems]

    — Tang Yanqian Flirting with vernal breeze, the willow sways so tender. Who in the world can vie with it but the waist slender? It is planted at random by the riverside. How many maids fond of its leaves of hunger died?

  • To the Early Mume Blossoms [Tang Poems]

    — Qi Ji Frozen are all the trees; Your warm root will not freeze. In the village’s deep snow Last night your branch did blow. Fragrance oozed in wind light; Birds peep at you still white. If you blossom next year, You will foretell spring’s near.

  • The Returning Wild Geese [Tang Poems]

    — Qian Qi Why won’t you stay on Southern River any more? Why leave its water clear, sand bright and mossy shore? You cannot bear the grief revealed in the moonlight By the Princess’ twenty-five strings, so you take flight.