10 enchanting ancient Chinese poems

4 Viewing the Moon and Thinking of the Dear One Afar

Over the vast sea is rising up the moon bright

It shines on you afar and me this same instant.

As a lover complaining of the long, long night,

I sit up all the time, lovesick and in torment.

I blow out the candle to see the moon’s full light;

I feel the cold wet dew and throw on my garment.

Since to you I cannot make a gift of moonlight,

I go to bed to dream of our meeting moment

Author - Zhang Jiuling

 

5 The Cicada

You’re oft hungry because you stand aloof and high;

To complain loudly and in vain you’ve long made a try.

Your sound weakens and dies away when dawn draws near,

But the green tree remains unmoved by your cries drear.

A small official, I’ve led a life vagabond,

Leaving my fields at home all waste and abandoned.

Thank you for the repeated warnings you give me;

Like you, honest and upright all my folks will be.

Author - Li Shangyin 

 

6 A Parting

At dusk I close my wicket door,

Having seen you off the mountain.

Next spring when grass turns green once more,

My friend, will come here again?

Author - Wang Wei

 

7 Thought on the Early Coming of Cold Weather

The leaves are falling and south the wild goes soar;

The river has turned chill as the north winds soar.

At the winding of Xiang River is my home

Far off in Chu land where the clouds high up roam.

As a vagrant, I’ve drained all tears in my eyes;

Now, on a lonely boat, I gaze at the vast skies.

I am anxious to know where lies my course right

On such boundless water in the long, long night.

Author - Meng Haoran

  

8 To South for Taoist Chang

I perceive, as I pick my steps along the way,

On the moss-covered path, man’s shoes-prints clearly stay.

The white clouds cling to the quiet islet below;

Blocking the forlorn gate green grass is seen to grow.

The pine trees, just washed by the rain, much greener seems;

Tracing the mount leads me to the source of the stream.

Such flowers by the brook and such monastic solitude

Would, even in the Taoist’s presence, keep me mute. 

Author - Liu Changqing

 

9 Token of love

In the south of our country are grown the love peas.

Their branches grow bigger with the coming of spring.

You may gather as many of them as you please;

For they are the best tokens of lovers’ yearning.

Author - Wang Wei

 

10 Mooring on the Qinhuai River

Cold water is shrouded in mists with sands bathed in moonligt;

Near a wineshop by Qinhuai River my boat moors at night.

About a conquered nation’s poor fate singing girls know nothing;

On the river’s other side, “Back Courtyard Flowers” they’re still singing.

Author - Du Mu

 

The original blog is at: http://blog.chinadaily.com.cn/blog-1825133-29289.html