–Mao Zedong, October 1955 The spring river vast and wide awhile doth stray;We climb tiered peaks, our vision cleared, far away.Wind from green isles bears surging waves astray;Rain from wild fields ascends the hills to stay.By wine cups, we laugh and talk – old friends still gay;Abroad, trivial strife like chicken–worm fray.Mourn not how…
– by Mao Zedong, 1925 I stand alone in the autumn chillOn the bank of the Xiang River, heading north,Watching the thousands of hills blaze redAnd the woods dyed layer upon layer.The river stretches clear, a hundred boats racing across the waves.Eagles strike the sky, fish dart in the shallow depths –All creatures strive…