“A Poetic Tribute to Xi Shi” (often titled “Xi Shi Yong”) by Wang Wei presents a classical Chinese reflection on Xi Shi, one of the legendary “Four Beauties” of ancient C⋯ Read the full article

Known alternately as “Song at Weicheng” or “Farewell at Yang Pass,” this poem by Wang Wei captures the poignant warmth of parting. The opening lines paint a gentle scene:⋯ Read the full article

In “Birdsong Brook,” Wang Wei offers a delicate portrait of a tranquil spring evening in the mountains. The poet begins by underscoring human idleness—people at rest—whil⋯ Read the full article

In “Bamboo Lodge,” Wang Wei immerses the reader in a secluded moment of introspection and poetic grace. Taking place within a tranquil bamboo grove, the poem features the⋯ Read the full article

In “Parting of Yuan the Second on His Mission to Anxi,” Wang Wei crystallizes the bittersweet essence of saying goodbye. Written during the Tang Dynasty, the poem is trad⋯ Read the full article

Wang Wei’s poem “My Retreat in Zhongnan” (also translated as “Dwelling in Zhongnan”) portrays the peaceful life he led after moving away from officialdom toward the seren⋯ Read the full article

In “Deer Enclosure,” Wang Wei presents a tranquil, almost mystical moment within the stillness of an uninhabited mountain setting. At first glance, the poem describes a s⋯ Read the full article

In this poem, Wang Wei—both a poet and painter during the Tang Dynasty—captures the harmony between human life and the natural landscape in autumn. The setting unfolds af⋯ Read the full article

“Longing” (also known as “Red Beans”) by Wang Wei is a timeless four-line poem from the Tang Dynasty, illustrating the poignant emotion of separation and longing. The cen⋯ Read the full article

In “Farewell at the Tomb of Grand Commandant Fang,” Du Fu offers a deeply personal moment of mourning against the backdrop of ongoing obligations and the unrelenting pass⋯ Read the full article

In this poem, Du Fu describes standing atop the Linyun Temple Pavilion in Jiazhou (present-day Leshan) and looking out over the confluence of three mighty rivers. Though ⋯ Read the full article

This final installment of Du Fu’s “Qiang Village” trilogy highlights the lingering toll of war on ordinary families. By setting a somber scene in which conflict persists ⋯ Read the full article

“The War Chariots” is among Du Fu’s most gripping commentaries on the human cost of relentless military campaigns. Composed during the Tang Dynasty’s conflicts, it gives ⋯ Read the full article

“Newlywed Parting” is one of Du Fu’s most heartrending poems, focusing on the young bride who must bid farewell to her soldier-husband shortly after marriage. At the time⋯ Read the full article

In this first poem of the “Water-Rail to Let My Mind Wander” pair, Du Fu creates a tranquil yet subtly questioning mood. Standing apart from the city walls, the poet’s va⋯ Read the full article