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.

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.
BAI JUYI

Lonely Rain Summer
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.
BAI JUYI

Autumn Dark Winter
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.
BAI JUYI

Age Gay Joy Remember
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.
BAI JUYI

Children Spring Summer
Fumes of wine shorten the long road.
BAI JUYI

Fumes Long Road Wine
If the Fleeting World is but a long dream, it does not matter whether one is young or old.
BAI JUYI

Dream Fleeting Long World
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.
BAI JUYI

Autumn Moon Summer

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