Author: Liu Yong (987—1053)A cicada whines in the chilly air.Evening falls on the long pavilion out there.A sudden rain shower just ceased.Not in the mood to drink in the tent outside the cityWhere I feel attached, While my staff hurries to get the ornate boat started. Ihold my beloved lady’s hand...

Author: Su Shi (1037—1101)When did the moon come into being?Holding a glass of wine, I ask the sky in the moonlight.At heaven’s palace,What year is tonight?Taking the wings of the wind would be what I’d love,But I’m afraid the palace of gods is far above,Unbearably chilly up there.Better to danc...

Li Bai (701—762)The floor by my bed gets moonlight-glossed.At first I thought there was frost.After looking up at the bright moon,I lower my head, feeling homesick and lost.Today’s poem is one of the most widely known Chinese poems. Most first graders in China can recite it. While the poem looks s...

From the South Zhou Chapter of The Book of SongsBy an anonymous authorHow pulchritudinous the peach tree looks!Radiant is every blossom.A young lady joins her new husband’s family.She will delightfully keep house for them.How pulchritudinous the peach tree looks!Plump is every peach.A young l...

Author: Li, Jing (916—961)Fragrant lotus flowers fade and green lotus leaves wither.West winds stir up ripples of sorrow.I also languish as time passes by,Becoming an unsightly fellow.Through sprinkles of rain, my dream returns to my faraway homelandWhere flute music permeates my small building und...

Author: Yan, Shu (991—1055)The moon that once shone upon a pond of white lotus flowers,It’s full again.While my ornate boat is sailing on the winding creek.I recall watching the sleeping moon with a dancer on the water lane.Since farewell, there have been yellow flowers and greenish white wine.My...

Author: Su Shi (1037—1101)Icy flesh and jade-like bones keep cool without perspiration.Breezes fill the waterfront court with subtle fragrances in motion.Embroidered curtains open for the bright moon to peek at the lady,Awake, with messy hair unclipped against the pillow and cushion.He takes her fa...

Author: Qin Guan (1049—1100)Thin clouds move agilely as flying stars carry their regrets.Altair and Vega quietly come from afar to cross the Milky Way.Once his heart of gold reunites with her jade-like, dewy beauty,Their passion outshines everything lovers on earth can say.Love feels as soothing as...