To Prime Minister Zhang: Looking at Lake Dongting – Meng Haoran

To Prime Minister Zhang: Looking at Lake Dongting In August (the eighth lunar month), the lake is peaceful, Boundless waters blend with the sky and Over the Cloud-Dream Marsh a damp mist rises and The waves are breaking against the walls of Yueyang City. I wish to cross the lake, but there is no boat…

To Minister Zhang While Gazing at Lake Dongting

Note. Minister Zhang Jiuling held several important posts under Emperor Xuanzong, including head of the imperial library, minister of public works, and commandant of various prefectures. The ancient reader of this poem, acquainted with the history of the imperial court, would know that Minister Zhang fell from favor with the emperor and was dismissed. Thus,…