Li Ching Chao
Tz'u No. 11
To the tune of “Lamentation” It was far into the night when, intoxicated, I took off my ornaments; The plum flower withered in my hair. Recovered from tipsiness, The lingering smell of wine Broke
Tz'u No. 7
To the tune of “Rinsing Silk Stream” Let not the deep cup be filled With rich, amber-colored wine; My mind was eased of sorrow Even before I was drunk. Distant bells have already echoed
Tz'u No. 13
To the tune of “Song of Peace” Year by year, in the snow, I have often gathered plum flowers, Intoxicated with their beauty. Fondling them impudently I got my robe wet with their lucid
Tz'u No. 5
To the tune of “Like a Dream” I always remember the sunset Over the pavilion by the river, So tipsy we could not find our way home. Our interest exhausted, the evening late, We
A Song of Departure
Warm rain and soft breeze by turns Have just broken And driven away the chill. Moist as the pussy willows, Light as the plum blossoms, Already I feel the heart of Spring vibrating. But
Autumn Love
Search. Search. Seek. Seek. Cold. Cold. Clear. Clear. Sorrow. Sorrow. Pain. Pain. Hot flashes. Sudden chills. Stabbing pains. Slow agonies. I can find no peace. I drink two cups, then three bowls, Of clear
Tz'u No. 15
To the tune of “Rinsing Silk Stream” Thousands of light flakes of crushed gold For its blossoms, Trimmed jade for its layers of leaves. This flower has the air of scholar Yen Fu. How
Tz'u No. 12
To the tune of “Happy Event Is Nigh” The wind ceases; fallen flowers pile high. Outside my screen, petals collect in heaps of red And snow-white. This reminds me that after the blooming Of
Tz'u No. 17 (He Is Gone)
To the tune of “Wu Ling Spring” Wind ceased, the dust is scented With the fallen flowers. Though day is getting late, I am too weary To attend to my hair. Things remain as
At a Poetry Party I Am Given the Rhyme Chih
Although I’ve studied poetry for thirty years I try to keep my mouth shut and avoid reputation. Now who is this nosy gentleman talking about my poetry Like Yang Ching-chih Who spoke of Hsiang
Last Night
Last Night Thin Rain, Gusty Wind. Dense Sleep Doesn’t Fade A wine Hangover. I’m talking To her Who Rolled up The curtains. Are you Blind! I Say. By now They’re Fat Green And skimpy
Tz'u No. 9 (Weary)
To the tune of “Rinsing Silk Stream” Saddened by the dying spring, I am too weary To rearrange my hair. Plum flowers, newly fallen, drift about the courtyard In the evening wind. The moon
Tz'u No. 3
To the tune “Red Lips” Tired of swinging Indolent I rise with a slender hand Put right My hair The dew thick On frail blossoms Sweat seeping through My thin robe And seeing My
Sorrow of Departure
Red lotus incense fades on The jeweled curtain. Autumn Comes again. Gently I open My silk dress and float alone On the orchid boat. Who can Take a letter beyond the clouds? Only the
To the Tune of
The fragrance of the pink lotus Fails, the jade mat hints of autumn. Softly I unfasten my silk cloak, Who is sending a letter from Among the clouds? When the swan message returns, The
To Lord Hu
We shall not ask for the precious pearl of the Duke of Sui, Nor for the priceless jade disk of Master Ho. We merely ask for the recent news of our homeland. The Palace
Tz'u No. 1
To the tune “Courtyard Filled with Fragrance” Fragrant grass beside the pond Green shade over the hall A clear cold comes through The window curtains Crescent moon beyond the golden bars And a flute
Tz'u No. 4
To the tune of “Like a Dream” Last night a sprinkling of rain, A violent wind. After a deep sleep, still not recovered From the lingering effect of wine, I inquired of the one
The Sun Sets in Molten Gold
The sun sets in molten gold. The evening clouds form a jade disk. Where is he? Dense white mist envelops the willows. A sad flute plays “Falling Plum Blossoms.” How many Spring days are
Tz'u No. 16 (Bajiao)
Who planted the Bajiao tree under my windows? Its shade fills the courtyard; Its shade fills the courtyard… Leaf to leaf, heart to heart, Folding and unfolding, It expresses boundless affection. Sad and broken-hearted,
Tz'u No. 10 (Exile)
To the tune of “Bodhisattva Aliens” Soft breezes, mild sunshine, Spring is still young. The sudden change of the light Brightened my spirit. But upon awakening from slumber, I felt the chill air; The
A Morning Dream
This morning I dreamed I followed Widely spaced bells, ringing in the wind, And climbed through mists to rosy clouds. I realized my destined affinity With An Ch’i-sheng the ancient sage. I met unexpectedly
A Friend Sends Her Perfumed Carriage
A friend sends her perfumed carriage And high-bred horses to fetch me. I decline the invitation of My old poetry and wine companion. I remember the happy days in the lost capital. We took
As in a Dream
To the melody of “Ru Meng Lin” Last night in the light rain as rough winds blew, My drunken sleep left me no merrier. I question one that raised the curtain, who Replies: “The
Our Boat Starts At Night
Our boat starts at night From the beach of Yen Kuang. Great ships sail only for profit Only small boats come here because of your fame. The passers-by are embarrassed by your virtue. So
Tz'u No. 8
To the tune of “Rinsing Silk Stream” My courtyard is small, windows idle, Spring is getting old. Screens unrolled cast heavy shadows. In my upper-story chamber, speechless, I play on my jasper lute. Clouds
Tz'u No. 18
To the tune of “Intoxicated in the Shadow of Flowers” Thin mist, dense clouds, a grief-stricken day; Auspicious incense burns in the gold animal. Once again, it is the joyous mid-autumn festival, But a
Tz'u No. 2 (Wine Joy)
To the tune “As in a Dream” I have long remembered The pavilion On the stream The falling sun So deep in wine We did not know The way home How pleasure spent Late
Sorrow
To the melody of “Sheng Sheng Man” I pine and peak And questless seek Groping and moping to linger and languish Anon to wander and wonder, glare, stare and start Flesh chill’d Ghost thrilled
When Night Comes
To the tune of “Telling My Most Intimate Feelings” When night comes, I am so flushed with wine, I undo my hair slowly: A plum calyx is Stuck on a damaged branch. I wake
Tz'u No. 6 (Waiting For You)
To the tune of “Red Lips” Lonely in my secluded chamber, A thousand sorrows fill every inch Of my sensitive being. Regretting that spring has so soon passed, That rain drops have hastened the
To the Tune
Breeze soft, sun frail, spring still early. In a new lined dress my heart was refreshed, But when I rose from sleep I felt a chill. I put plum blossoms in my hair. Now
The Double Ninth Festival
To the tune of “Intoxicated Under the Shadow of Flowers” Light mists and heavy clouds, Melancholy the long dreary day. In the golden censer The burning incense is dying away. It is again time