Classical Chinese Poetry

A major anthology of classical Chinese poetry assembled by a renowned translator it seems the fiercest love is no love at all in the end. Sipping wine together we feel nothing now but absent smiles. Candles at least still have hearts. They grieve over goodbye cry our tears for us until dawn-lit skies. -- goodbye Tu mu (803-854 C.E.) with this ground-breaking collection translated and edited by renowned poet and translator David Hinton a new generation will be introduced to the work that riveted Ezra pound and transformed modern poetry. The Chinese poetic tradition is the largest and longest continuous tradition in world literature and this rich and far-reaching anthology of nearly 500 poems provides a comprehensive account of its first three millennia (1500 B.C.E.-1200 C.E.) The period during which virtually all of its landmark developments took place. Unlike earlier anthologies of Chinese poetry hinton''s book focuses on a relatively small number of poets providing selections that are large enough to recreate each one as a fully realized and unique voice. From the classic deeply poetic texts of Chinese philosophy to intensely personal lyrics from love poems to startling and strange perspectives on the natural world Hinton has collected an entire world of beauty and insight. And in his eye-opening translations these ancient poems feel remarkably fresh and contemporary. Without ever reaching for anachronistic effects or colloquialisms Hinton presents a literary tradition both radically new and entirely resonant.