Climbing High
Du Fu



Wind swift heaven high ape cry grief
Islet clear sand white bird fly circle
No edge fall tree rustle rustle down
No end great river surge surge arrive
10,000 li sorrow autumn always sojourn
100 years many sickness alone climb platform
Difficult suffering regret numerous white temples
Frustrated now stop turbid drink cup
Swift wind, heaven high, an ape's cry of grief,
At the islet of clear white sand, birds circle round.
Endlessly, trees shed leaves rustling down,
Without cease, the great river comes surging on.
Ten thousand miles in sorrowful autumn, always on the move,
A hundred years full of sickness, I climb the terrace alone.
Suffering troubles and bitter regret have turned my temples white,
Frustratingly I've had to abandon my cup of cloudy wine.


View Chinese text in traditional characters.

Other Chinese poems about Nature, Autumn and Age.