lyrical simplicity

  • Peach Blossoms in the Temple of Great Forest [Tang Poems]

    — Bai Juyi All flowers in late spring have fallen far and wide, But peach blossoms are full-blown on this mountainside. I oft regret spring’s gone without leaving its trace; I do not know it’s come up to adorn this place.

  • The Young Pine [Tang Poems]

    — Du Xunhe While young, the pine tree thrusts its head amid tall grass; Now by and by we find it outgrow weed in mass. People don’t realize it will grow to scrape the sky; Seeing it tower in cloud, then they know it’s high.

  • 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.

  • A Spring Walk by Qiantang Lake [Tang Poems]

    — Bai Juyi West of Jia Pavilion and north of Lonely Hill, Water brims level with the bank and clouds hang low. Disputing for sunny trees, early orioles trill; Pecking vernal mud in, young swallows come and go. A riot of blooms begins to dazzle the eye; Amid short grass the horse hoofs can…