Chang’an, Daming Palace, 735 In 735, Emperor Xuanzong wished to celebrate the finish of the construction of the new Xingqing Pavilion (Xìngqìng gé, ). Daming Palace (here called Penglai) was the original imperial complex and home to the emperor of the Tang dynasty. For the occasion, Wang Wei wrote this poem. Daozong 道中, “the Middle…
A Conscript’s Complaint
A Conscript’s Complaint Alternatively titled, “A Soldier’s Lament,” by Andrew Wong, and “A Trooper’s Burden” by Witter Bynner. A cook or chef might prefer “A Soldier’s Beef”. Soldiers complain all day long, there is nothing new in that — the work is hard, the food is bad, there is no relief, good grief. 征人怨Zhēngrén yuàn…
For Hua Qing
Zèng Huā Qīng From a miscellaneous collection of poems by the Chinese poet Du Fu. The title, Zèng Huā Qīng, is a play on words (and disguised criticism). Zeng literally means “a gift” and Hua means “flowers,” and Qing means “minister.” Qing’s character 卿 resembles two people sitting opposite each other dining with wine and…
A Bygone Picture
Jīnlíng tú “A Picture of Nanjing (Jinling)” by the late Tang poet, Wei Zhuang. Wei Zhuang prepares us for the end of the Tang Dynasty, painting a picture of the ancient capital of Nanjing (Jingling) and its time as the bygone capital of Six Dynasties. Six Dynasties preceded the establishment of the Tang Dynasty. The…
To Danqui
A Poem to Yuan Danqui Like Mona Lisa, whose face was made immortal by Leonardo da Vinci, Yuan Danqui, even though little is known about him, achieves immortality in the verse of the Chinese poet Li Bai (李白, 701–762) 元 丹 丘 歌Yuán Dānqiū GēA Poem to Yuan Danqui 元 丹 丘，爱 神 仙。Yuán Dānqiū,…
Spring Thoughts
Chūn sī, 春思Spring Thoughts by Li Bai (701-762) Chinese poet, Tang dynasty A wife yearns for her husband. As she rests in her bedroom, the curtain is stirred by a gentle spring breeze. Who is this stranger? 春思Chūn sīSpring Thoughts… 燕草如碧丝Yàn cǎo rú bì sīThe grass in Yan is like the bluest strands of silk…
Sent to Someone
Last night I dreamt of you A dream and a sentimental poem of two lovers who are now separated. Sent to Someone, who, for posterity, will remain unknown, by the Chinese poet of the late Tang dynasty, Zhang Bi (張泌, born 930). This one poem is included in the Anthology of 300 Tang Poems. 寄人Jì…
Day of No Fire
Hanshi Set your thermostat, it is going to be cold. Hanshi, the Cold Food Festival is celebrated this year on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. It is then followed by the Tomb Sweeping Festival (Qingming). A poem by an unknown author titled Miscellaneous, about a Day of No Fire. After observing a day of no fire,…
Goodbye Yesterday
Goodbye yesterday, goodbye friends, because yesterday is gone. Hello memories of days gone by. Hellos Spring. At Chang’an Meeting Feng Zhe You came, my guest from the East,Whose clothes were covered in rain from Baling.“Why have you come?” I ask,To gather firewood in the mountains one needs an axe,” you say. And everywhere flowers are…
Dawn to Dusk
No Cinderella No Cinderella here, she did not receive an invitation to the ball. Worse was to come for the author of the poem, Yu Xuanji. 寄国香Jì guó xiāng, Send this to the Sweet Smelling Outdoors(To Guo Xiang) 旦夕醉吟身Dànxì zuì yín shēn,Dawn to dusk, she sighs, she drinks too much, 相思又此春 xiāngsī yòu cǐ chūn.Once…
100 Tang Poems 