The courtyard trees are suddenly dark
why didn’t my old friend come
it must be because he hates the heat
and spends his days on a frost-covered terrace
The glory of office comes with its burdens
retired life too means less time together
I watched for you from the upper story
until the blue ridges were almost black
translated by Red Pine
8th Century Chinese poetry
Happily Meeting an Old Friend from Liangchuan on the Huai by Wei Ying-wu
When we were both guests in Chianghan
whenever we met we left drunk
we’ve been drifting clouds ever since
following rivers ten years now
the happiness we feel is the same
though our hair has thinned and turned gray
why haven’t we gone home
and left these autumn hills on the Huai
translated by Red Pine
Climbing a Tower: To Councillor Wang by Wei Ying-wu
I hate climbing mountains and towers without you
the clouds and sea of Ch’u and memories never end
the sound of mallets at the foot of leafless hills
in a perfecture of brambles and winter rain
translated by Red Pine
Conversation Among Mountains by Li Po
You ask why I live
in these green mountains
I smile
can’t answer
I am completely at peace
a peach blossom
sails past
on the current
there are worlds
beyond this one
translated by David Young
Spring Dawn by Meng Haoran
Sleeping in spring, I don’t feel the dawn
though everywhere birds are singing.
Last night I heard sounds, blowing, raining.
How many flowers have fallen down?
translated by Tony Barnstone & Chou Ping
Stopping at Beign Mountain by Wang Wan
Man on a road through green mountains.
A boat sails the green waters.
The banks grow when the tide stills.
One sail taut in the wind.
The ocean sun emerges from broken night.
Spring flows in rivers as the year ages.
How can my letter find its way home
to Luoyang where the geese fly?
translated by Tony Barnstone & Chou Ping
To See Meng Hao-jan Off to Yang-chou by Li Po
My old friend takes off from the Yellow Crane Tower,
In smoke-flower third month down to Yangchou.
A lone sail, a distant shade, lost in the blue horizon.
Only the long Yangtze is seen flowing into the sky.
translated by Wai-lim Yip
To Li Po on a Winter Day by Tu Fu
Alone in my secluded hut,
I think of you all day, Li Po.
Whenever I read of friendship,
I remember your friendly poems.
Harsh winds tatter your old clothes
as you search for the wine of endless life.
Unable to go with you, I remember only
that old hermitage we’d hoped to make a home.
translated by Sam Hamill
Stayover At Pei-ku Shan by Wang Wan
The road reaches beyond mountains.
The boat moves on the green water.
Tides now calm: two banks widen.
Wind stills: one sail straight.
Sun grows from sea: the night tatters.
Upon the river, spring: the year ages.
A letter from home: where to send to?
With the returning geese to Lo-yang.
translated by Wai-lim Yip
Bamboo Grove by Wang Wei
I sit alone among dark bamboos,
Strum the lute and let loose my voice.
Grove so deep, no one knows.
The moon visits and shines on me.
translated by Wai-lim Yip
