One Hundred Poems from the Chinese (New Directions Books)

The Northern Crown units within the nightfall. The moon like a transparent reflect Rises from the good void. whilst it Has climbed excessive within the sky, moonlit Frost glitters at the chrysanthemums. TU FU XXXIV evening options whereas vacationing a gentle breeze rustles the reeds alongside the river banks. The Mast of my lonely boat soars Into the evening. Stars blossom Over the colossal wilderness of Waters. Moonlight flows at the Surging river. My poems have Made me recognized yet I develop previous, sick and drained, blown hither And yon; i'm like a gull misplaced among heaven and earth. TU FU XXXV BRIMMING WATER less than my toes the moon Glides alongside the river. close to nighttime, a gusty lantern Shines within the middle of evening. alongside the sandbars flocks Of white egrets roost, every one clenched like a fist. within the wake of my barge The fish jump, minimize the water, And dive and splash. TU FU XXXVI AN EXCUSE FOR now not RETURNING THE stopover at OF a pal don't be indignant simply because i'm sluggish to head out. you recognize Me too good for that. On my lap I carry my little woman. At my Knees stands my good-looking little son. One has simply all started to speak. the opposite chatters with no preventing. They grasp on my outfits And persist with my each step. I can’t get any farther Than the door. i'm afraid i'm going to by no means make it for your condominium. MEI YAO CH’EN XXXVII round the corner My friends at the correct Have a tender son who has simply started to step out. My buddies at the left Have a tender daughter who's nonetheless a virgin. within the heavy shadow less than the gate it's very darkish After the sunlight has set. Whose head is that, taking a look over the wall? MEI YAO CH’EN XXXVIII MELON woman the lady who sells melons beside the flow Gathers her melons within the fields at the hillsides. She doesn't have to spin hemp. She has handsfull of bronze cash. MEI YAO CH’EN XXXIX FISH PEDDLER The fish guy chats with the passers via, As he peddles his perches and breams. Knife in hand, he scrapes off their scales. He stamps and swears simply because their fins are see you later. MEI YAO CH’EN XL THE CRESCENT MOON The crescent moon shines Over the nook of my apartment. My neighbor’s canines howl. The kinfolk is in difficulty. in the midst of the evening Spirits fly approximately and weird creatures stir. A murmur runs over the excessive grass even if no wind blows. MEI YAO CH’EN XLI at the demise OF a brand new BORN baby The plant life in bud at the timber Are natural like this useless baby. The East wind won't allow them to final. it's going to blow them into blossom, and finally into the earth. it's the comparable with this gorgeous existence Which was once so expensive to me. whereas his mom is weeping tears of blood, Her breasts are nonetheless filling with milk. MEI YAO CH’EN XLII SORROW Heaven took my spouse. Now it Has additionally taken my son. My eyes aren't allowed a Dry season. it really is an excessive amount of For my center. I lengthy for dying. while the rain falls and enters The earth, whilst a pearl drops into The intensity of the ocean, you could Dive within the sea and locate the Pearl, you could dig within the earth And locate the water. yet nobody Has ever get back from the Underground Springs.