Relationships
Sent as a Parting Gift to the Second Official of Ch'iu Pu
Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell (1921) · From Fir-Flower Tablets (1921)
In the old days, Ch'iu Pu was bare and desolate,
The serving-men in the Official Residence were few.
Because you, my Lord, have planted peach-trees and plum-trees,
This place has suddenly become exuberantly fragrant.
As your writing-brush moves, making the characters so full of life, you gaze at the white clouds;
And, when the reed-blinds are rolled up, at the kingfisher-green of the fading hills;
And, when the time comes, for long at the mountain moon;
Still again, when you are exhilarated with wine, at the shadow of the moon in the wine-cup.
Great man and teacher, I love you.
I linger.
I cannot bear to leave.
Cite this poem
MLA
Po, Li. “Sent as a Parting Gift to the Second Official of Ch'iu Pu.” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/li-po/68/.
Chicago
Po, Li. “Sent as a Parting Gift to the Second Official of Ch'iu Pu.” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/li-po/68/.
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