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Bei Dao

Poetry

Autumn 2005

To Father

By Bei Dao

on a cold February morning oaks in the end are the size of sadness father, in front of your photo the eight-fold wind keeps the round table calm from the […]

Poetry

Autumn 2005

Road Song

By Bei Dao

in the oblivion between the trees the lyric attacks by dogs at the end of an endless trip night turns all the keys of gold but no door opens for […]

Poetry

Autumn 2005

The Rose of Time

By Bei Dao

when the watchman falls asleep you turn back with the storm to grow old embracing is the rose of time when bird roads define the sky you look behind at […]

Poetry

Summer 1996

Untitled

By Bei Dao, translated by Dian Li

from the Chinese.   people rush on the road, arrive reincarnate, and hide away in a bird's dream the sun flees from the wheat field but returns with the beggar […]

Poetry

Summer 1996

Progress

By Bei Dao, translated by Dian Li

from the Chinese.  day after day, suffering degenerates like a great endeavor like a petty bureaucrat I sit amidst my fate and illumine the lonely nation   the dead have […]

Poetry

Summer 1996

Creation

By Bei Dao, translated by Dian Li

from the Chinese.   generations' and generations' creation troubles me for example, the night scurries over law   there is always a reason for a dog barking madly at the […]

Poetry

Summer 1996

Coming Onstage

By Bei Dao, translated by Dian Li

a childhood of blossoming diseases of the word we say no more pace leisurely through life see the ocean behind the fences the seasons in which we have taken rides […]

Poetry

Summer 1996

We

By Bei Dao, translated by Dian Li

from the Chinese.   are struck with panic and hold lanterns to pursue Spring   scars gleam, cups revolve rays of light are created see that charming moment: some thief […]

Poetry

Summer 1996

Blue Wall

By Bei Dao, translated by Dian Li

from the Chinese   the road asks the sky   a wheel looks for another wheel to be its witness:   this warm fur   this poetry of lightning   fertility and passion […]