I wish we could be trees deep in the mountains,

touching, twining limb around limb

-

Bai Juyi

It's human nature to dote on young ones,

and people when they grow old get soft-hearted.

But the sweetest wine in the end turns sour,

the moon, however full, eventually must wane.

-

Bai Juyi

A strip of water's spread in the setting sun,

Half the river's emerald, half is red.

I love the third night of the ninth month,

The dew is like pearl; the moon like a bow.

-

Bai Juyi

The pillow's low, the quilt is warm, the body smooth and peaceful,

Sun shines on the door of the room, the curtain not yet open.

Still the youthful taste of spring remains in the air,

Often it will come to you even in your sleep.

-

Bai Juyi

If the Fleeting World is but a long dream, it does not matter whether one is young or old.

-

Bai Juyi

I remember, when I was young, How easily my mood changed from sad to gay. ... But now that age comes, A moment of joy is harder and harder to get.

-

Bai Juyi

The bloom is not a bloom,

The mist not mist.

At midnight she comes,

And goes again at dawn.

She comes like a spring dream - how long will she stay?

She goes like morning cloud, without a trace.

-

Bai Juyi

On the seventh day of the Seventh-month, in the Palace of Long Life,

We told each other secretly in the quiet midnight world

That we wished to fly in heaven, two birds with the wings of one,

And to grow together on the earth, two branches of one tree."

Earth endures, heaven endures; some time both shall end,

While this unending sorrow goes on and on for ever.

-

Bai Juyi

Autumn clouds, vague and obscure; The evening, lonely and chill. I felt the dampness on my garments, But saw no spot, and heard no sound of rain.

-

Bai Juyi