Author: Xin Qiji (1140—1207)The bright moon’s departure from trees disturbs magpies;The crisp wind’s blow at night arouses cicadas.The pleasant scent of rice paddies predicts a harvestWhile I listen to frogs singing their cantatas.Seven or eight stars appear in the sky;Two or three raindrops fall...

Author: Yang Wanli (1127-1206)Heat waves stay as high at night as at noon.I’ve walked out of my door to cool off under the bright moon.From the deep bamboo groves and lush trees where insects singComes subtly cool air, which is not a wind but a boon.You must feel hot in summer days. However, if you...

Author: Meng, Haoran (689 or 691—740)The sun abruptly sets behind the mountains;The moon gradually rises from the pond.I let my hair loose to feel the cooling airAnd open my windows for a cool night’s sleep of which I am fond.Breezes bring in a sweet scent of lotus flowers now and then;Dews drop f...

Author: Gao Pian (821—887)Summer day lengthens under shady green trees;The pond reflects pavilions and terraces.Crystal-bead curtains flicker with the rise of a breeze;Full arches of climbing roses fill the garden with fragrances.July is the hottest month in almost all the places of the Northern He...

FarewellLi Shutong (1880—1942)Beside a long pavilion, by an ancient pathway,A green pasture extends to the horizon like a bay.Dusk winds caress willow trees as flute music dwindles.The sun sets mountains and mountains away.To the border of the sky, to the end of the earth,We are going where there a...

Farewell Again, CambridgeAuthor: Xu Zhimo (1897—1931)Quietly, I will leave,As once I quietly came.I quietly wave my handTo the colorful clouds in the sunset’s flame.That golden willow by the river,A bride glowing with the setting sun she is.Her radiant reflection flickers on the water,But it’s my...

Parting in Baling CountyLi Bai (701—762)As I see you off at a pavilion in Baling,The Ba River runs as fast as harts.Above me are old trees with no blossoms;Beneath me are spring grasses with broken hearts.I ask a pedestrian from Qin about a side path.He says it once took Wang Tsan south.The ancient...

Ancient Chinese believed the sun was exactly in the middle of the sky at noon on this day, which therefore marked the summer solstice in China. It also originated as a day of commemoration for a patriotic poet, Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). Qu had great strategies to keep Chu strong. However, other official...