SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

poems

  • White Cloud Fountain [Tang Poems]

    •

    Ana

    — Bai Juyi Behold the White Cloud Fountain on the Tianping Mountain! White clouds enjoy pleasure while water enjoys leisure. Why should the torrent dash down from the mountain high And overflow the human world with waves far and nigh?

  • Chrysanthemums [Tang Poems]

    •

    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]

    •

    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]

    •

    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]

    •

    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]

    •

    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]

    •

    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.

  • To the Willow Tree [Tang Poems]

    •

    Ana

    — Li Shangyin Having caressed the dancers in the vernal breeze, You’re ravished amid the merry-making trees. How can you wail until clear autumn days are done To shrill like poor cicadas in the setting sun?

  • To the Parrot [Tang Poems]

    •

    Ana

    — Luo Yin Do not complain of golden cage and wings cut short; The southern land is far warmer than the northwest. Don’t clearly speak if you listen to my exhort; You will offend if clearly your complaint’s expressed.