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Body, Shadow, and Spirit (1 of 3)
This poem is the first in a famous three-poem series where Tao Yuanming personifies three aspects of human existence: the physical Body, the Shadow, and the Spirit. This structure is deeply influenced by Buddhist and Daoist philosophical debates of the Wei-Jin period regarding the nature of the soul and the afterlife.
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Miscellaneous Poems (2 of 12)
The white sun sinks into the western river;The pale moon rises over the eastern ridge.For ten thousand miles, its boundless radiance gleams;Vast and clear, a brilliant expanse fills the sky.The wind sweeps through the doors and windows;In the dead of night, my pillow and mat grow cold.Sensing the changing air, I realize the seasons…
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Drinking Alone Under the Moon (1 of 4)
Amidst the flowers, a single pot of wine;I drink alone, with no companion near.I raise my cup to invite the bright moon,And with my shadow, we become a party of three.Yet the moon does not understand the joy of drinking,And my shadow merely tags along, a silent follower.For now, I’ll make the moon and…
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Drinking Wine (7 of 20)
The autumn chrysanthemums bloom in splendid hues;Dew-kissed, I pluck their petals.I steep them in this sorrow-forgetting brew,To distance myself from worldly cares.Though I drink this cup alone,When the cup is empty, the pot pours on its own.As the sun sets, all bustling life comes to rest,And homeward-bound birds fly to the woods, singing.Beneath my…
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Reading the Classic of Mountains and Seas (1 of 13)
In early summer, grass and trees flourish,Lush branches encircle my thatched cottage.The flock of birds rejoices in their shelter,And I, too, cherish my humble dwelling. Having plowed and sown my fields,I now return in due season to read my books.My narrow lane is cut off from the deep ruts of the main road,Which keeps…