Another one of our favorite books from this course is, Crossing the Yellow River. The book contains three hundred poems from various Chinese poets and is translated by Sam Hamill. This book is filled with poems on nature and drinking wine. Two big themes in this book are friendship as well as living the simple life and living amongst nature as being the Taoist way. A good example of this and one of my personal favorites is, "Leaving Government Offices", on page 134, and written by Tu Fu.
It is spring, almost dawn when the crowds gather
near the court with all their banners.
Flowers drop their petals as I retire from court.
Willows open their leaves.
Snowmelt dampens the walls.
Clouds cover the palace, darkening the halls.
Alone, in secret, I burn my draft memorial.
In my saddle, I yearn for a roooster's perch.
Another one of my favorite poems is, "Years End", on page 256 and is written by Chang K'o-chiu.
Her small feet walk a mossy path,
the moon a jade hook high above bamboo,
silent above the silent pavilion.
Time changes everything but sorrow.
A flash of fish in a dark pool,
birdsong welcoming the spring-
fallen plum bossoms
perfume the air.
