This cauldron carries the mistOf a hundred singing spirits Who wrap aroundEntwined in a halo BetweenThe heavens and the earthThe sun and the moon As we breathe the dustTo inhabit a worldOf darkness and light Clinging onFor ten thousand years Dissolved in a dropAnd an ocean that never ends Frank Watson Inspired …
Read MoreAnchored at Jiande River
Meng Haoran This anchored boat’s astir in fog and breeze,As sunset rends my fears up once again,But as the sky descends beneath the trees,The river, moon, and quiet become my friends. Chinese Pronunciation 宿建德江 Sù jiàn dé jiāng 移舟泊煙渚， Yí zhōu …
Read MoreGazing at the Snow Peak of Zhongnan
Above the mountain dark and deepThe snow clouds form a floating quill;But though these woods are clear and bright,Inside the town I feel it chill. Chinese Pronunciation 終南望餘雪 Zhōng Nán Wàng Yú Xuě 終南陰嶺秀， Zhōng nán yīn lǐng xiù ， 積雪浮雲端。 …
Read MoreFarewell to Cui
229. Farewell to Cui Pei Di Traversing mountains thin and deepAnd on through hills and dales revered;For just a day you’ll be a manOf Eden, land of love and cheer. Chinese Pronunciation 送崔九 Sòng cuī jiǔ 歸山深淺去， Guī shān shēn qiǎn qù， …
Read MoreFor the Reminiscing General
The General went fore, a prisoner of war,Enchained at the enemy’s behest;But now he’s back, the dust is slack,With wine I greet my guest. We sing in verse of skies and birds,Forbidding a barrack word;With spring before, we leave the warAnd howls of night unheard. But peaceful …
Read MoreLittle Red Peach
Red as a peach with a smile on her face,Face with a smile as a peach in her place.Willow that hangs and shakes its drapery low,Low is the willow that hangs as the wind does flow.Wavers the blossom as wind and hair entwine,Entwines the hair …
Read MoreMiscellaneous Verse
You who’ve come and seen my hometown hueWould know the news from there, I must presume:That day you left, outside the window view,Had winter’s plums begun to wear their bloom? Chinese Pronunciation 雜詩 Zá Shī 君自故鄉來， Jūn zì gù xiāng lái， …
Read MoreYearning
Away in southern lands the red beans layAs spring returns to send its blooms above;Desiring you I pluck a big bouquet,To hold a thing that marks our tender love. Chinese 相思 紅豆生南國，春來發幾枝。願君多采擷，此物最相思。 Pronunciation Xiāng Sī Hóng dòu shēng nán guó，Chūn lái fā jī zhī。Yuàn jūn duō cǎi xié，Cǐ wù zuì xiāng …
Read MoreFarewell to a Dear Friend
Within the mountain midst, a farewell scene:I shut my door, the sun begins to set.In spring next year the grass will turn to green,But if you’ll come back here, I know not yet. Chinese 送別 山中相送罷，日暮掩柴扉。春草明年綠，王孫歸不歸。 Pronunciation Sòng Bié Shān zhōng xiāng sòng bà，Rì mù yǎn chái fēi。Chūn cǎo nián nián …
Read MoreBamboo Retreat
Alone, I sit serene within a bamboo grove,At ease, I strum the lute and hum a song.Unknown into the forest deep I’ll roveUntil the shining moon has sung along. Chinese 竹里館 獨坐幽篁裡，彈琴復長嘯。深林人不知，明月來相照。 Pronunciation Zhú Lǐ Guǎn Dú zuò yōu huáng lǐ，Dàn qín fù cháng xiào。Shēn lín rén bù zhī，Míng yuè lái …
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