Alone on a river tower my thoughts full of sorrow
the moonlight like the water the water like the sky
where is the person with whom I shared the moon
the view isn’t quite the same as last year
translated by Red Pine
Chinese poet
Drinking on the Lake As It Clears Then Rains by Su Shih
The shimmering waves are translucent when it clears
the mist-veiled hills are transcendent when it rains
I think of West Lake as the Beauty of the West
equally lovely in powder or paint
translated by Red Pine
Climbing Yenchou Tower by Tu Fu
Visiting my father in East District
I finally looked out from South Tower
clouds stretched beyond Taishan to the sea
barren land spread through Hsu and Chingchou
the outline of the stele of Ch’in was still there
the walls of Lu Palace were rubble
I\ve always been drawn to the past
but this time my heart trembled
translated by Red Pine
Autumn Day by Keng Wei
The day’s late light fills a village lane
with whom can I share my cares
nobody takes the ancient road
millet sways in autumn wind
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untitled poem by Keng Wei
Those who know me
know cares fill my heart
those who don’t
wonder what I have lost
translated by Red Pine
from Untitled Love Poem 2 by Li Shang-yin
the land of heart’s desire
is never far away
bluebird, go find out the path–
show us how to get there!
translated by David Young
Conversation Among Mountains by Li Po (Li Bai)
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
from Untitled Love Poem 1 by Li Shang-yin
love is a total waste of time
you and I know that
but there’s something about its madness
that opens the eyes and clears the mind
translated by David Young
Written at Chulin Temple by Chu Fang
The months and years compel our lives
here the mist and clouds abound
how many times will I again know
the welcome of Chulin Temple
translated by Red Pine
from Fighting South of the Ramparts by Li Po (Li Bai)
What have the generals accomplished?
what they know
is less than what we’ve learned–
a sword’s a stinking thing
a wise man will use
as seldom as he can.
translated by David Young
Leonard Durso 