PEACH BLOSSOMS IN THE TEMPLE OF GREAT FOREST

Bai Juyi

(Tang Dynasty)

All flowers in late spring have fallen far and wide,

But peach blossoms are full-blown on the mountainside.

I oft regret spring's gone without leaving its trace;

I do not know it's come up to adorn this place.

大林寺桃花

[唐]白居易

人间四月芳菲尽,山寺桃花始盛开。

长恨春归无觅处,不知转入此中来。

About the poet 

Bai Juyi was a renowned Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet known for his realistic style. Many of Bai's works concern his career or are related to his observations about everyday life.

About the translator 

Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) was born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province. He was a professor of literary translation at Peking University.

About the book 

300 Tang Poems Translated by Xu Yuanchong Published by China Intercontinental Press