【Readings by Poetry Experts: HaiChuan】Beautiful poems about the Lantern Festival

The Night of the 15th Day of the First Month 【Tang Dynasty】Su Weidao: Flaming trees and silver flowers blend together; the starry bridge is unlocked by iron locks. Dark dust follows the horse, while the bright moon comes after people. All the courtesans are like plump plums; their singing is like falling plum blossoms. The guards do not cease their watch at night; let the hourglass not hasten time.

Viewing the Lanterns on the 15th Night 【Tang Dynasty】 Lu Zhaolin: In the colorful streets, festive banquets are held; orchids bloom in brilliant red at an early age. Vivid colors separate the lands in the distance, while brilliant lights adorn the sky afar. It seems as if a star has fallen near the Han River; by the building, it appears like the moon hanging in the sky. Another thousand gold smiles appear, to shine before the nine branches.

Sheng Chazi · Yuanxi 【Song Dynasty】Ouyang Xiu (some say Zhu Shuzhen) Last year on the Lantern Festival, the flower markets were as bright as day. The moon rises above the willow branches; we’ve arranged to meet after dusk. On this New Year’s Eve, the moon and the lamps remain as before. The person from last year is nowhere to be seen; tears wet the sleeves of my spring robe.

Yongyu Le [Song Dynasty] Li Qingzhao: The setting sun turns the sky to gold; dark clouds gather like walls – where is one to be? Willows are dyed with thick mist, the plum-blossom flute plays a mournful tune; how much of spring’s charm remains? On the Lantern Festival, the weather is mild; yet how can there be no storms from time to time? They come with fine carriages and splendid horses, to thank their drinking companions and poetic friends. In the prosperous days of Zhongzhou, with plenty of leisure time at home, I particularly valued gatherings among friends. Adorned with emerald crowns, twisted golden willows – clusters that vie to outshine each other. Now gaunt and worn, with hair disheveled by the wind and temples gray from age, I fear to go out at night. It’s better to go behind the curtain and listen to people’s laughter.

Green Jade Tune: Lantern Festival 【Song Dynasty】Xin Qiji The east wind makes thousands of flowers bloom at night. More petals fall, stars like rain. The scent of BMW car incense fills the road. The sound of flutes resounds, the light in the jade pot shifts, and all night long, fish and dragons dance. Moths, snow willows, and golden threads. Laughter lingers as a subtle fragrance fades away. I searched for him a thousand times among the crowd. Looking back suddenly, there he is, in the dim light.

Partridge Sky: A Dream on the Lantern Festival 【Song Dynasty】 Jiang Kui The rich waters flow eastward, with no end in sight. Love was not meant to be between us from the start. In dreams it’s not as vivid as in paintings; suddenly, the cry of birds in the darkness startles me. Spring has not yet brought greenery, yet gray hairs appear first. Being apart for a long time in the world is not cause for sorrow. Who teaches that year after year the lotus blooms at night, with each of us lost in thoughts of our own?

\"Flowers That Speak\" · Lantern Festival 【Song Dynasty】 Zhou Bangyan: The wind blows out the flames of the wax lamps; dew wets the heated stoves, while the lights in the flower market shine brightly against each other. Osmanthus flowers fall like tiles. The thin clouds disperse, and the pure Chang’e is about to descend. The clothing is elegant. Look at the Chu woman, with her slender waist. Flutes and drums resound, figures appear in clusters; the air is filled with the scent of musk. Thinking of the night in the capital. May a thousand doors be as bright as day, filled with laughter and merriment. Carved carriages and silk robes. Where they meet, there are always hidden dust particles following the horse. Time passes, too. All that remains is the fading of old affections. The leaks are cleaned, the covered carriage returns; the dancing stops and the singing ceases.