《Evening Fragrance》Zhang Pei Lun
市塵知避俗 Living in city bustles I remain serene
兀坐玩春深 Sitting quietly to savour the deep meaning of spring
火燼茶香細 Silky vapor rises when tea brew acts are at ease
書橫竹個陰 For my bookmark I use pieces of bamboo leaf Continue reading
《A Folk Song of Huzhao》Zhang Yu
臨湖門外吳儂家 My front door opens to Lake Tai
郎若閑時來喫茶 Do come for tea my dear in your leisure time
黃土築牆茅蓋屋 Within an earthen fence is a roof of straw
門前一樹紫荊花 By front door stands a tree of Bauhinia
《Recalling Tea》Jin Nong
草鋪綠罽地無塵 Green grass covers the ground like a carpet free of dust
朝日熹微榆火新 In the twilight wood fires are burning red and fast
兩串春團三道印 Two balls of tea in a package with three seal marks
不知茶宴赴何人 I recall not to whose tea party I took part
《岩居僧》趙師秀(?-1219) 《Cave Dwelling Monk》Zhao Shi Xiu
開扉在石層 He dwells in a cave carved from rock layers
盡日少人登 Few people visit him in days and years
一鳥過寒木 A single bird flies over the cold woods
數花搖翠藤 On green vines few flowers take root Continue reading
《小廊》鄭燮 [鄭板橋](1693-1765) 《Small Chamber》Zheng Xie
小廊茶熟已無煙 In the small chamber tea is brewed free of vapor
摘取寒花瘦可憐 I pick a chrysanthemum lean and piteous
寂寂柴門秋水闊 From the open wicket the autumn river appears wide
亂鴉揉碎夕陽天 The brilliant sunset sky is dotted by crows passing by Continue reading
《送茶僧》陸容 (1436-1494) 《For a Tea Connoisseur Monk》Lu Ron
江南風致說僧家 Monks from south of the river their charisma special
石上清香竹裡茶 Often seen with stone grinds and fragrant tea in a bamboo bowl
法藏名僧知更好 The learned master from the grand temple is a tea connoisseur
香煙茶暈滿袈裟 His robe marked with stains his chamber with tea aroma
《鷓鴣天》李清照(1084-1155) 《Tune: Partridge Sky》Li Qing Zhao
寒日蕭蕭上瑣窗 I shut out the noise of petal falls in the cold
梧桐應恨夜來霜 Plane trees should fear the night’s frosting cold
酒闌更喜團茶苦 Nearly tipsy I drink heavy tea for the bitter taste
夢斷偏宜瑞腦香 Awake from dreams I light up my fragrant censer in haste
秋已盡 Autumn gone
日猶長 Days long
仲宣懷遠更淒涼 The farther the legend poet roams the more he feels forlorn
不如隨分尊前醉 An easy drinker should know the harm of excessive drinking
莫負東籬菊蕊黃 And remember how Tao Qian loved daisies and simple living Continue reading
《初識茶花》陳與義(1090-1138) 《First Encounter with Tea Flower》Chen Yu Yi
伊軋籃輿不受催 Bamboo sedan carriers sing as they slowly go
湖南秋色更佳哉 Autumn scenes south of the lake are beautiful to behold
青裙玉面初相識 Tea leaves and flowers are my first encounters
九月茶花滿路開 In the ninth moon they are wherever I saunter
《和梅公儀嘗建茶》歐陽修(1007-1072) 《Tasting Tea from Fujian》Ouyang Xiu
溪山擊鼓助雷驚 They roll drums at Qi Hill to wake up the tea trees
逗曉靈芽發翠莖 Before daybreak they pick tender stems and leaves
摘處兩旗香可愛 Where buds open to two leaves their fragrance protrude
貢來雙鳳品尤精 Tea for the Emperor are marked with phoenix images true Continue reading