Selected Poems of Tao Yuanming

Author: Compiler: Meng Erdong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-09-12
Features: In response to Liu Chaisang①, living in solitude, one forgets the cycles of the four seasons②.
Empty courtyard, many fallen leaves, and one realizes autumn③.
New gourds flourish in the northern window, and fine wheat grows in the southern field④.
Now if I do not enjoy life, will there be a next year?⑤
I order my family to take the young ones on a good day for a distant journey⑥.
① In response: to present poetry in return.
② Solitary dwelling: secluded residence, human interactions: refers to social engagements, use: for. Four seasons: the four seasons in cycles.
③ Empty: Some ancient texts vary, with characters like "door," "elm," "lane," or "eave," now following Jiao's edition.
④ Window (you): or "wall," now following Tao's and Jiao's editions. Window: window. Gourd: winter gourd, a vegetable. Sheaf: same as "ear." Field: field.
⑤ Not: same as "no."
⑥ Room: refers to wife. Ascend: same as "obtain."
Two Poems in Response to Guo the Chief Clerk
First
The trees before the hall are lush, storing cool shade in midsummer②.
The gentle south wind comes in season, and the swirling breeze opens my chest③.
I cease social engagements and indulge in leisurely pursuits,
lying down and playing the book and qin④.
The garden vegetables abound, and the old grain still stores for today⑤.
To cultivate oneself has its limits, and excess is not to be envied⑥.
I grind millet to make fine wine, and when it's ready, I pour myself a drink⑦.
My young son plays beside me, his speech not yet formed⑧.
This is true joy, for I temporarily forget the gilded hairpin⑨.
Gazing afar at the white clouds, how deep my longing for the past!⑩
① Guo the Chief Clerk's biography is unclear. The Chief Clerk was an official position, responsible for records and documents.
Inferred from the line "My young son plays beside me, his speech not yet formed," these two poems were likely written around the beginning of the first year of the Yuanxing era of Emperor An of Jin (402), when the author was around thirty-eight years old. This poem was written in midsummer. With a light and joyful brushstroke, it fully displays the pleasure of leisure and self-sufficiency.
To forget fame and fortune and enjoy family joy, only the ancient sages could stir one's heart.
② Lush (ai): dense and lush. Store (zhu): store, accumulate. Here used to describe the dense shade of trees.
③ Gentle south wind: the south wind. The Erya explains: "The south wind is called the gentle south wind." In season: according to the season. Swirling breeze (biao): swirling wind.
④ Cease social engagements: stop interactions in the official world. Leisurely: idle and carefree. Leisurely pursuits: refer to the six arts like books and qin, contrasting with the official "main profession."
⑤ Leftover: surplus. Grow (zi): grow and reproduce. Still stores for today: still stores until today.
⑥ Cultivate oneself: manage one's life. Very (liang): very. Limit (ji): limit. Excess (guo): excessive. Envy (qin): envy.
⑦ Grind (chong): remove the husk of grains. Millet (shu): refers to sticky sorghum, often used for brewing wine. Pour myself a drink (zi): self-drink. Pour (zhēn): pour wine into a cup.
⑧ Young son: young child. Play (xi): play. Speech not yet formed (xue yu bu cheng yin): just learning to speak, with unclear words.
⑨ True (zhen): sincere. Natural. Temporarily (liao): for a while. Gilded hairpin (hua zan): luxurious hairpin. Here metaphorically refers to gilded hats, meaning official status.
Second
The soft rain lasts for three springs, and the cool autumn arrives②.
Dew congeals without wandering mists, the sky is high and the light is clear③.
The high peaks of the mountain rise, all seen from afar are extraordinary④.
Fragrant chrysanthemums shine in the forest, and green pines stand in rows on the cliffs⑤.
To cherish this upright and elegant posture, they stand as heroes under the frost⑥.
Holding wine cups, I think of the hermits of antiquity, and for a thousand years, I touch your teachings⑦.
To examine my character, I cannot unfold it, and I languish for a good month⑧.
① This poem was written in autumn. Through the depiction of autumn scenery and the admiration for ancient hermits, it not only expresses the poet's love for the life of seclusion in the mountains but also highlights the poet's pure and upright character.