Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A NIGHT OF SONG, by TU FU Poet's Biography First Line: The wind scarce flutters through the leaves Last Line: While lingering thoughts still look behind. Alternate Author Name(s): Du Fu | ||||||||
The wind scarce flutters through the leaves, The young moon hath already gone, And kind and cool the dews descend: The lute-strings wake for night alone. In shadow lapse the twinkling streams, The lilied marge their waves caress; And the sheer constellations sway O'er soundless gulfs of nothingness. What cadence charms the poet's ear! What fire-fly fancies round him swarm! He dreads the lantern lights may fail Long ere his thoughts have taken form. Now gallants tap their two-edged swords, And pride and passion swell amain; Like red stars flashing through the night The circling wine-cups brim again. There steals the old sad air of Ou -- Each calls his latest song to mind; Then white sails taper down the stream, While lingering thoughts still look behind. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BALLAD OF THE ARMY by TU FU THE RECRUITING SARGEANT by TU FU SONNET (ON AN OLD BOOK WITH UNCUT LEAVES) by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR NORTH-WEST PASSAGE: 2. SHADOW MARCH by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON THE TRANSLATION by MARK VAN DOREN |
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