Bao Junhui

Brightness of a high, small autumn moon

Shines northwards where the Great Wall meets the sea.

Distant fortress is the first to refill with light

As wind pushes cloud after cloud across the moon.

Marching soldiers gaze ever towards their home.

Warhorses skitter at their own wardrums.

Sadness of north wind lays flat the grasses,

Prisoners all on dark barbarian sands.

Frost covers the scabbards of the weapons.

Winds beat down the banners on the plain.

But, all day, paying our respects here at the palace

The sound of clashing copper mess pots goes unheard.

Blossoms on the branches.

Blossoms fall on men.

A pity, their faces are full of their youth.

Yesterday, I saw every blossom blooming.

Now, I see each blossom wants to fall.

This joy of falling is not as good as leaving here.

Don't linger just for the sex; it ruins all.

Orioles sing, butterflies dance, glory of youth grows old.

As our hot stove boils tea, the fragrance of old eggs.

Make-up on, singing done, we can do as we please no more.

Alone, one fragrant blossom, returns to her chamber once more.

Foremost in the world for brilliant foresight.

Achieving success in martial excellence.

Weapons just and bright before the ramparts.

A cultured treasure flourishing at court.

Eminent, strong blessing to all the land.

Always illustrious before the throne.

From your jade mat, your arrow strikes the roc.

Your immortal harmonies govern the phoenix.

Imperial willows, sprouting new deep green.

Palace warblers, singing their first bright songs.

General, we celebrate you beyond measure

And make one thousand offerings to the spirit of Yao.

Idle morning, close to dawn, we emerge from curtained cages.

Best young tea, East Pavillion, we gaze in all directions.

Looking down on moated walls and then on mountain scenes,

Below we hear the strings and flutes wrapped in river's voices.

Distant bamboo lines a pond like newly sprouted jade.

Fragrant hibiscus beneath the eaves makes me whisper, "pink."

Our desire, boundless, long to sit in the midst of here and now

Grows greater as our rounded fans stir up our own cool breeze.