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

“A Tribute to Hua Qing” is one of Du Fu’s brief yet evocative poems, centered on the transcendent power of music. Dedicated to a performer known as Hua Qing, it reference⋯ Read the full article

In this second poem from his “Two Poems on Qujiang,” Du Fu paints a scene of indulgence and philosophical acceptance of life’s transience. Written during the Tang Dynasty⋯ Read the full article

“Climbing the Tower” by Du Fu captures the poet’s reflections during a period of national upheaval. Du Fu stands on a tower overlooking the landscape, where blooming flow⋯ Read the full article

In “Meeting Li Guinian in Jiangnan,” Du Fu recalls a bygone era of music and cultural splendor. Li Guinian was a famous court musician and singer, celebrated for his arti⋯ Read the full article

In “Nighttime Reflections on a Journey,” Du Fu contemplates the transitory nature of life against a backdrop of cosmic grandeur. Set by a gently lapping river under the d⋯ Read the full article

In “The Prime Minister of Shu,” Du Fu pays homage to the famed strategist Zhuge Liang, who served during the Three Kingdoms era. The poem opens by evoking the solemnity o⋯ Read the full article