A Verse – Du Fu

Two golden orioles sing in the emerald green willow, One row of white egrets fly in the blue sky. From my window to the west, I spy the snowy mountains of Xiling, From my door to the east, come ships from far away. A Pair of Golden Orioles Sing Even the simplest poems present a…

Yuhua Palace, 玉華宮

A winding stream, the smell of pine in the wind,A gray rat flees under ancient tiles.I don’t know whose royal palace is this,Mislaid beneath steep cliffs. In dark rooms ghostly fires glow green,A sorrowful stream flows over a broken path.A million sounds from the earth are the true flutes and reedsAutumn is sprinkled in colors…

The Ballad of War Carts (兵車行), Du Fu

A constant rumble of war cartsAnd never ending horse whinnies Soldiers with bows at their waistsFathers and mothers, wives and children rushing to see themIn the dust and dirt one cannot see Xianyang bridgePulling clothes, stamping feet, blocking the way and weepingThe sound of weeping rising above to heavenAlong the wayside a passerby asks a…

Taking down a trellis – Du Fu

Taking down a trellis Already, the sticks I tied are withered and falling,The calabash leaves are thin and sparse. Luckily the white flowers have born their fruit, And peacefully the green leaves have faded. Autumn insects speak not a sound, What’s must sparrows think at dusk? For bitter cold is now our prison; So, Life…

Qiang Village 2 – Du Fu

For now, there is enough to fill my cup,
Comfort for one near the end

Qiang Village 1 – Du Fu

[The first poem in a series of three written in 757 by Du Fu (杜甫) at the age of 45. The setting is a Qiang village (羌村) in the far western Sichuan province. Du Fu and his family took refuge here during the early years of the An Lushan Rebellion (755-763).] Qiang Village 1 In…

Du Fu – View of Taishan

How shall I describe Taishan? Everywhere Shangdong is green and flourishing. In it the Creator has concentrated all that is bountiful and beautiful. Its northern and southern slopes divide the dawn from the dark. Where layered clouds begin, the climber’s chest heaves, and birds flying home appear suddenly before his straining eyes. One day I…

Clearing Rain, Du Fu (杜甫)

In Tianshui, the autumn clouds are thin, The western wind having blown ten thousand li. This morning’s view is clear and fine, Long rains do not harm the land. A row of willows trees begins to green, The pear tree on the hill has little red buds. Upstairs, a hujia pipe plays a tune ,…

Climbing Yueyang Tower – Du Fu

Often I have heard of Lake Dongting And now I am climbing this tower With Wu to the east, and Chu to the south I can see heaven and earth floating But no word reaches me of family or friends Old and sick, I am alone in my boat North of the wall are mountains…

Meeting Li Guinian at Jiangnan, (South of the River) – Du Fu

Meeting Li Guinian at Jiangnan Often we met at Prince Qi’s Palace and Many times I heard you at Lord Cui’s home and Just now, at Jiangnan, when the earth is its finest When blossoms are falling, we meet again, by chance Notes Poetry, calligraphy, music and art all flourished in the Tang dynasty. But…