Friday NIght Poetry - Du Fu

Du Fu, a classical Chinese poet known forty years ago as Tu Fu, lived from 712 to 770. Like many classical Chinese poets, he spent years far from home.



Spring


1.

Rivers and low mountains
in the broad light of noon.

Cool fragrant winds flowing
through flowers and spice plants.

Swallows building their nests
with pecks of wet mud.

Ducks hunkered down
in the warm sand.

2.

White egrets reflected
in the blue river.

Red flowers flaring
on the green slopes.

I watch
this parade of wealth

thinking, even so,
that it's time to go home.


—Du Fu