Autumn Poems from the Chinese, by Li Hai-Ku, Qing Dynasty

 

Autumn (photo Marion Agnew)

AUTUMN by Li Hai-Ku, Qing Dynasty

Hoar frost is falling

And the water of the river runs clear.

The moon has not yet risen,

But there are many stars.

I hear the watch dogs 

In the near-by village.

On the opposite bank

Autumn lamps are burning in the windows.

I am sick,

Sick with all the illnesses there are.

I can bear this cold no longer.

THE JEWEL STAIRS GRIEVANCE by Li Bai, Tang Dynasty

The jewelled steps are already quite white with dew,

It is so late that the dew soaks my gauze stockings,

And I let down the crystal curtain

And watch the moon through the clear autumn.