Li Bai, Why I live in the Green Mountains

In the mountains, you asked, I answered, most popular answer Why do I live in the green mountains? I laugh and answer not, my soul serene I dwell in another paradise, where earth belongs to no man Where peach trees blossom forever, and the rivers flow on and on You ask, why I dwell on…

Bitter Love – Li Bai

A beautiful woman, unfurls the pearly curtain Quietly sitting, how troubled her brow I see the tears now, glistening on her cheeks Still I don’t know who she hates. Love and Hate Love, it is said, is the strongest emotion. But hate must be a close second. Li Bai sees a beautiful woman with tear…

It’s cold, 已涼

Laying beyond a blue-green doorPast a scarlet screen, full of flowers and blossomsLies a brocaded quilt of an eight-foot bearded dragon It is cool, but not yet cold The poem’s meaning It is autumn and that means falling leaves of red and gold, cold fronts and cool air. The first frost has not come, so…

Li Bai’s Ballads of Four Seasons: Spring

A story of love, honor and devotion, the lovely Lo Foh

Li Bai’s Ballads Of Four Seasons: Summer

Li Bai, 夏歌 Ballads of Four Seasons: Summer, 子夜四時歌 For three hundred miles along the banks of Mirror Lake Lovely lotus lilies blossoms flower. In fifth moon, a smiling Xi Shi gathers them, As lowly peasants look on from the bank at Yuoye Stream. Her boat turns back without waiting for the moon to rise…

To One Unnamed 3, 无题之三

Time was, long before I met her, but longer still, since we parted, The east wind is powerless, for it has come and a hundred flowers are gone, And the silk-worms of spring will spin until they die And every night candles will weep their wicks away. In the morning mirror she sees her temple…

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 ,…

Spring Thoughts – Li Bai

Spring Thoughts In Yan, grass grows like the bluest silk thread In Qin, mulberries hang low on branches of green My Lord, why do you think of coming home? Now, when I am heart-broken and sad Oh Spring Breeze, that I do not know Why part the silk curtains of my bed? Translating Li Bai’s…

Princess Jinching

Princess Jinching (金城公主, 699-740) was the great-granddaughter of the Emperor Gaozong and the Empress Wu Zetian. She was adopted by the ruling Emperor Zhongzong. During peace negotiations between the Chinese and Tibetans, it was agreed that she would become the bride of the Tibetan emperor in a marriage alliance between the two powers. In 710,…

Beyond the Border – Wang Zhihuan

Beyond the Border Where the Yellow River in the far white clouds is arising, A walled fortress stands alone amidst the vast peaks abiding, Under a willow tree, the Qiang flute is sighing, That Spring never blows through the Yumen (Jade) Pass. Understanding Wang Zhihuan’s poem In 710, the young  Princess Jinching, adopted daughter to…