poems

  • To the Swallows Coming to My Boat [Tang Poems]

    — Du Fu Another spring in boat I stay; Again swallows peck clods of clay. You know me in my native land; Now gazing from afar you stand. Ah, here and there you build your nest; Now and again I find no rest. You greet me and then leave the mast; My tears stream…

  • The Lonely Swan [Tang Poems]

    — Du Fu The lonely swan won’t drink nor eat, But longs to join its flock to fleet. Who will pity its shadow lonely, Astray in the clouds, it wails only. Out of sight, still it seems in view; Lost in grief, its song’s heard anew. What do insensible birds know? You hear only…

  • The Willow [Tang Poems]

    — He Zhizhang The slender beauty’s dressed in emerald all about; A thousand branches droop like fringes made of jade. But do you know by whom these slim leaves are cut out? The wind of early spring is sharp as scissor blade.

  • The Breeze [Tang Poems]

    — Wang Bo Soughing, the cool breeze blows; My wooded dell clean grows. It drives smoke off the rill, Rolls up mist over the hill, Leaves no trace when we part, And moves as if moved at heart. When sunset calms the scene, Hear the song of pines green.

  • The Orchid [Tang Poems]

    — Chen Zi’ang In late spring grows the orchid good, How luxuriant are its leaves green! Alone it adorns empty wood With red blooms and violet stems lean. Slowly, slowly shortens the day; Rippling, rippling blows autumn breeze. By the year’s end it fades away. What has become of it fragrance, please?

  • 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…