Tao Qian

365-427

Source: Lu-sheng Chong

Tao Qian, or Tao Yuan Ming, was an early Taoist poet who greatly influenced the great Tang poets. Tao lived in the tumultuous Eastern Chin dynasty, after the fall of the great Han and before the reunification under the Sui. Having much hard luck in his attempts at life as an official, Tao gave up on society's Confucian ideals and retired at the age of 41 to Jiangsu province near Lu Mountain. There he lived as a recluse, leading a simple life and writing poetry that reflected his love of farm, family and drink. It is said he befriended Lu Mountain monk and Chan (Zen) pioneer Hui-yüan. He is lauded universally as a paragon of simple country virtue, and praised by admirers such as Meng Haoran for his rich, deceptively spare style.

Drinking Wine #1

Pallor and vigor are without settlement.
This and that change as they go.
Was Lord Shao is his melon fields
As content as in Tung Ling?

Hot and cold wane in sucession,
Peoples' Ways are all like this.
The "arrived person" cuts to the opportunity;
Headless generals take no more heed.

If, of a sudden, you've a cup of wine...
Well, day and night savor their struggle.

Drinking Wine #4

Autumn flowers cast in ominous shade:
From the wet dew I pluck their blossoms,
Float them in this forgetful draught.
Distanced, I let worldly thoughts pass.

Just one drink and I'm a juggernaut!
My cup drains the pot; it pours itself.
Toward the sunset, a flock retreats,
Returning,
  ...quickening to the grove in song.

Whistling proudly under the East railing,
Somehow, I've grasped this life anew.