Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE LITTLE CART by CH'EN TZU-LUNG

First Line: THE LITTLE CART JOLTING AND BANGING THROUGH THE YELLOW HAZE OF DUSK
Last Line: THEY STAND HESITATING IN THE LONELY ROAD AND THEIR TEARS FALL LIKE RAIN.
Subject(s): CHINA - TANG DYNASTY (618-905); WAR;

THE little cart jolting and banging through the yellow haze of dusk.
The man pushing behind: the woman pulling in front.
They have left the city and do not know where to go.
"Green, green, those elm-tree leaves: @3they@1 will cure my hunger,
If only we could find some quiet place and sup on them together."
The wind has flattened the yellow mother-wort:
Above it in the distance they see the walls of a house.
"@3There@1 surely must be people living who'll give you something to eat."
They tap at the door, but no one comes: they look in, but the kitchen is empty.
They stand hesitating in the lonely road and their tears fall like rain.



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