— Han Yu
The trees and grass know that soon spring will go away;
Of red blooms and green leaves they make gorgeous display.
But willow catkins and elm pods are so unwise,
They wish to be flying snow darkening the skies.
Note
Han Yu (768–824 CE) was a towering figure of the Tang Dynasty – renowned as a poet, essayist, philosopher, and champion of Confucianism. He spearheaded the Classical Prose Movement, advocating for clear, moral, and purposeful writing over the ornate styles of his time. While celebrated for his powerful prose, Han Yu also wrote poetry that blends sharp observation with philosophical insight and subtle humor.
One of his most evocative short poems is “Late Spring” Wan Chun). In it, he depicts the end of spring as a time of vibrant urgency: grasses and trees “know” that spring is about to leave, so they pour all their energy into blooming – some scattering petals like snow, others unfurling lush greenery. Even the humblest plants, like willow catkins and elm seeds, “lack talent” yet still try to fly like snowflakes in the wind, joining the final celebration of the season.
On the surface, the poem celebrates nature’s exuberance; beneath it lies a gentle allegory about seizing opportunity before time runs out – and about how even the seemingly insignificant can strive with grace. Through vivid imagery and quiet wit, Han Yu turns late spring into a metaphor for human effort, ambition, and the fleeting beauty of life.
晚春
— 韩愈
草树知春不久归，
百般红紫斗芳菲。
杨花榆荚无才思，
唯解漫天作雪飞。
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