TranslationofDuMu's"Qingming"intoEnglish

Du Mu (803-852) was a prominent Chinese poet during the Tang Dynasty. One of his most famous works is the poem "Qingming," which captures the beauty of the Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. Below is the English translation of Du Mu's "Qingming":

Qingming

The rain beats on the plantain trees,
Light mists hang over the River of Lo,
The blossoms of the cassia are all fallen,
The birds are frightened and startle and fly.
Far off, the Wu mountain is a blur,
And the river beach is swept and clean of footprints.
Who knows that the flowers have been cut and the grasses are withered,
And that the city is filled with the smell of wine?
The sun is warm, the wind is mild,
Willows are green along the city wall,
Peach blossoms still play with the wind from the east,
The city is colored with the red of the trees of the market.
Oh, sad and lonely it is to be far from home,
Here in the city, where can I go?
This road is long, the way I came by is filled with flowers,
And the old trees are withered and fallen.

This translation aims to capture the essence and beauty of Du Mu's original poem while staying true to the imagery and emotions he conveyed. "Qingming" reflects on the transience of life and the passage of time, as well as the poet's sense of longing and nostalgia. It is a poignant and evocative piece that continues to resonate with readers centuries after it was written.