SPRING NIGHT IN THE CHANCELLERY

Flower-shaded palace walls darken further at dusk.

Chirping birds pass by, heading to a perch for the night.

The stars appear, looking down on city and palace.

The moon ascends, shining brighter into the heavens.

Sleepless, I conjure arrivals in the sounds of the wind:

golden keys turning, jade pendants jangling on bridles.

I have a report to give at the dawn audience.

Again and again, I check the progress of the night.

 MEANDERING RIVER

1

Spring diminishes with each falling petal,

countless points of sorrow swirling in the wind.

Soon I will see the last remaining flower

and will then be drinking wine without solace.

Kingfishers nest on a hut by the river.

Unicorns adorn the border of a high tomb.

Looking into nature tells you to seek joy.

So why do I strive for undeserved honor?

     

2

Daily after court, I pawn some of last season’s clothes.

And then, stinking drunk, I stumble home from the river.

An unpaid tab, I’ve got one in most all the taverns.

Since ancient times, almost no one’s made it to seventy.

Butterflies weave deeply into the bank of flowers.

Dragonflies dawdle and dip down over the water.

Our words come and are gone, just as all things are fleeting.

Let us be together for this, our little time.

--Du Fu

 THE IMPERIAL ARMY RECOVERS HONAN AND HOPEI

Just now, here in Sichuan, news of a great victory!

Weeping for joy, tears soaking the front of my gown.

Turning to my wife and children–all my sorrow gone.

Scrambling around packing, quickly rolling up scrolls.

In the midday sun, singing out loud and guzzling wine.

The greening spring will be my travelling companion.

I’ll leave right away, passing through Pa Gorge to Wu Gorge,

sailing on to Xiangyang and then to Luoyang!

     –Du Fu