Po Chu-I Poems

I enter the court
Through the middle gate—
And my sleeve is wet with tears.
...

Sent as a present from Annam—
A red cockatoo.
Colored like the peach-tree blossom,
Speaking with the speech of men.
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“Those who speak know nothing;
Those who know are silent.”
These words, as I am told,
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I could have a job, but am too lazy to choose it;
I have got land, but am too lazy to farm it.
My house leaks; I am too lazy to mend it.
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In the land of Tao-chou
Many of the people are dwarfs;
The tallest of them never grow to more than three feet.
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When I was almost forty
I had a daughter whose name was Golden Bells.
Now it is just a year since she was born;
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White billows and huge waves block the river crossing;
Wherever I go, danger and difficulty; whatever I do, failure.
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Ruined and ill—a man of two score;
Pretty and guileless—a girl of three.
Not a boy—but still better than nothing:
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Last year, when I lay sick,
I vowed
I'd never touch a drop again
As long as I should live.
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No moon
To light my way upon the stair,
Cold comfort
...