Lu Yu: Song of Three Gorges

LU YU A.D. 1125-1210 A distinguished official who also made a name for himself as poet and historian. SONG OF THREE GORGES From the twelve Hills of the Witches I see the Nine Peaks rise; Beyond my prows a myriad tints flush autumn's empty skies. Untrue the legend, "Morning clouds, and evening rain," The howling of gibbons in bright moonlight fills the plain. When long June days begin I wander to Nan-pin, And moor my boat to a little quay Where monkeys swing from tree to tree. Now shadows gloom Ch‘u Yüan's grey memorial; And by the tomb of Yü red roses fall.