孟郊诗

Poems of Meng Jiao

Index

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古别曲

Old-School Parting Song

山川古今路 纵横无断绝 来往天地间 人皆有离别

Hills and plains are always my road, This way, that way, never an end. Heaven and Earth, those I've come to know. But people, I only know to say goodbye.

行衣未束带 中肠已先结 不用看镜中 自知生白发

Before my traveling clothes are girded, My guts are already tied in knots. I don't need to check the mirror To see my hair is turning white.

欲陈去留意 声向言前咽 愁结填心胸 茫茫若为说

I almost settle on staying or going but When I speak it always chokes me up. Knots of worry make my head spin; I'm too mixed up to even speak.

荒郊烟莽苍 旷野风凄切 处处得相随 人那不如月

Wasted ruins, all bound up in mists, Grasslands, with their bitter wind, I don't choose these places, really, I just like the moon more than people.

-- 孟郊

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废话

Meng Jiao, like Bai Juyi, just lets himself flow into his poems. Meng Jiao is a bit more self-conscious, or self-absorbed. Bai Juyi, at heart, is full of sympathy, all-inclusive. Meng Jiao is more of a loner. But he's a poetic loner, ain't he?

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Index