Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FLOOD by T'AO CH'IEN

First Line: THE LINGERING CLOUDS, ROLLING, ROLLING
Last Line: BUT NEITHER BOAT NOR CARRIAGE COMES.
Subject(s): CHINA - EARLY PERIOD (TO 200 B.C.); CHINA - MIDDLE AGES (600 B.C.- 618 A.D.); FLOODS;

THE lingering clouds, rolling, rolling,
And the settled rain, dripping, dripping,
In the Eight Directions -- the same dusk.
The level lands -- one great river.
Wine I have, wine I have:
Idly I drink at the eastern window.
Longingly -- I think of my friends,
But neither boat nor carriage comes.



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