Chinese poetry

Thoughts on an Ancient Site:
Birthplace of Wang Qiang
Du Fu


Through flocks of mountains, myriad valleys,
I arrive in Jingmen,
where Ming-fei was born and bred--*
the village is still there.

Once she left the crimson terraces,
there was nothing but endless desert;
only her evergreen grave is left
to face the twilight.

Portraits have recorded
her spring-fresh face;
the tinkle of girdle pendants heralds
her soul's vain return by moonlight.

For a thousand years the pipa
has wailed in its alien tongue,
as if its strings bemoan in song
her tragic tale of grief.

tr. David Lunde