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Bai Juyi Biography

Poet

Bai Juyi (772-846), a renowned Tang Dynasty poet, known for his simple and accessible style. His poetry, characterized by its straightforward language and sincere emotions, has had a profound impact on Chinese literature.

Earth Poetry Beauty Moon Chinese Sunset

Author:Bai Juyi

“I hug my pillow and do not speak a word; In my empty room no sound stirs. Who knows that, all day a-bed, I am not ill and am not even asleep? Turned to jade are the boy’s rosy cheeks; To his sick temples the frost of winter clings…. Do not wonder that my body sinks to decay; Though my limbs are old, my heart is older yet.”

Depression Sickness And Health

Book:More Translations from the Chinese

Source: More Translations from the Chinese

“On the seventh day of the Seventh-month, in the Palace of Long Life, We told each other secretly in the quiet midnight world That we wished to fly in heaven, two birds with the wings of one, And to grow together on the earth, two branches of one tree." Earth endures, heaven endures; some time both shall end, While this unending sorrow goes on and on for ever.”

Love Life Death Heaven Loss Sorrow Despair Ancient China Separation Belonging Everlasting Love

Author:Bai Juyi

“SLEEPING ON A NIGHT OF AUTUMN RAIN It's cold this night in autumn's third month, Peacefully within, a lone old man. He lies down late, the lamp already gone out, And beautifully sleeps amid the sound of rain. The ash inside the vessel still warm from the fire, Its fragrance increases the warmth of quilt and covers. When dawn comes, clear and cold, he does not rise, The red frosted leaves cover the steps.”

Earth Poetry Sleep Rain Chinese Autumn

Author:Bai Juyi

“SPRING SLEEP The pillow's low, the quilt is warm, the body smooth and peaceful, Sun shines on the door of the room, the curtain not yet open. Still the youthful taste of spring remains in the air, Often it will come to you even in your sleep.”

Poetry Sleep Spring Chinese

Author:Bai Juyi

“If the Fleeting World is but a long dream, it does not matter whether one is young or old.”

Ifs World Long Doe Matter Dream Age Young Old Age Fleeting Fleeting World

Author:Bai Juyi

“Fumes of wine shorten the long road.”

Long Wine Long Road

Author:Bai Juyi

“I remember, when I was young, How easily my mood changed from sad to gay. ... But now that age comes, A moment of joy is harder and harder to get.”

Moments Age Remember Young Joy Changed Gay Harder Mood Remember When

Author:Bai Juyi

“Heat lingers As days are still long; Early mornings are cool While autumn is still young. Dew on the lotus Scatters pure perfume; Wind on the bamboos Gives off a gentle tinkling. I am idle and lonely, Lying down all day, Sick and decayed; No one asks for me; Thin dusk before my gates, Cassia blossoms inch deep.”

Giving Long Stills Young Lying Asks Morning Wind Pure Lonely Sick Gentle Heat Autumn Gates Inches Idle Perfume Dew October Dusk Early Morning Lotuses Lying Down Bamboo

Author:Bai Juyi

“A little child paddles a little boat, Drifting about, and picking white lotuses. He does not know how to hide his tracks, And duckweed's opened up along his path.”

Knows Children Littles Doe White Know How Path Summer Spring Track Boat Taoism Drifting Lotuses

Author:Bai Juyi

“A strip of water's spread in the setting sun, Half the river's emerald, half is red. I love the third night of the ninth month, The dew is like a pearl; the moon like a bow.”

Night Water Half Sun Months Moon Summer Red Rivers Thirds Spread Setting Settings Taoism Autumn Bows Pearls Dew Emeralds

Author:Bai Juyi

“Autumn clouds, vague and obscure; The evening, lonely and chill. I felt the dampness on my garments, But saw no spot, and heard no sound of rain.”

Felt Sound Saws Heard Summer Rain Lonely Clouds Spots Evening Taoism Autumn Vague Obscure Chill Garments Sound Of Rain

Author:Bai Juyi

“Two monks sit facing, playing chess on the mountain, The bamboo shadow on the board is dark and clear. Not a person sees the bamboo's shadow, One sometimes hears the pieces being moved.”

Persons Two Sometimes Dark Clear Pieces Mountain Shadow Moved Winter Chess Boards Taoism Autumn Monk Playing Chess Bamboo

Author:Bai Juyi

About the Author

Born: 772
Died: 846
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 13

Books & Sources

More Translations from the ChineseRelated source material

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