Liu Zongyuan (773-819) was a Mid-Tang politician and another victim of political intrigues. Liu Zongyuan wrote most of his poems and prose works after 805, when he fell out of imperial favour and was exiled to the south. These circumstances are reflected in much of his writing.
Entering Yellow Stream and Hearing an Ape River Snow Travelling on the Southern Valley Path to a Deserted Village on an Autumn Morning
Entering Yellow Stream and Hearing an Ape
The road and stream bend for a thousand li, Sorrowfully, an ape somewhere calls. The lonely servant’s tears are now exhausted, The heartbreaking sound is in vain.
A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, Ten thousand paths, with no person's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, Fishing alone in the cold river snow.
Travelling on the Southern Valley Path to a Deserted Village on an Autumn Morning
The end of autumn- there’s heavy frost and dew; At dawn, I rise and go to the hidden valley. Yellow leaves cover the stream and bridge, In the empty village, just ancient trees. Cold flowers are scattered, each alone, The hidden stream breaks off, and reappears. My own heart’s plans are long forgotten now, What can it be that startles the deer?