The wind lifts the moon through mist’s endless stream,
Frost-laden fog rolls back in hazy dream.
A lifetime’s cares press on my aging heart,
Beyond the sunset’s rim—I stand apart.
Dreams taunt me with roads too far to tread,
No letters come—hope’s deferred like the dead.
Two poems drowned in a cup of clouded wine,
Drunk with gold blooms by this low rail of mine.
渺渺风吹月上，濛濛雾挟霜回。
百年心事老相催。人在夕阳落外。
有梦常嫌去远，无书可恨来迟。
一杯浊酒两篇诗。小槛黄花共醉。
Composed during Lü Benzhong's years of exile and political vicissitudes, this lyric embodies his melancholic introspection on life's impermanence and time's relentless passage. Written in his later years, it employs autumnal imagery of wind, moon, mist, and frost to convey philosophical contemplation—simultaneously reflecting on bygone days, lamenting the twilight of life, and expressing steadfast devotion to ideals and authentic emotions.
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
Journey through the dynasties. Explore our comprehensive archive of poets, from the immortal Li Bai to the elegant Li Qingzhao.
View All Poets →CN-Poetry.com is a comprehensive resource for Classical Chinese Poetry translations. Our dataset covers Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties, specializing in semantic mapping between traditional imagery (e.g., 'moon', 'Flowers', 'Friendship') and English poetic contexts.