Top 13 Fine Poems by Poet Cao Bá Quát

Drinking Wine to Drown Sorrow Part 1

Thirty-six thousand days, what are they worth,
Transient scenes, indeed, seem quite absurd.
Why bother toil for worldly affairs,
Spending some moments in trivial matters?
Amidst the fleeting existence, there's wine,
Contemplation's worth not as easy to find.
Beneath the dim twilight, the shadow of South Hill,
Turning to behold the Nine Circuits, they seem so small.
The boundless heavens and earth, ancient and new,
Shapes and forms, exist, yet not true.
The bottle is the universe, myriad in one.

The title of this poem, recorded in the Literary Records, is 'The Goblet of Grief.' Nguyen Cong Tru's literary career is thought to be his with the title 'Leisure Poetry.'

Source: Cao Bá Quát Complete Works - Volume 1, National Institute of Vietnamese Studies, Publishing House of Literature, 2004

Strolling Briefly on the Sandy Beach

A long sandy shore, yet another long sandy shore,
One step forward seems like one step backward.
The sun sets but still we go on.
Travelers' tears freely fall.
No matter how clever one may be, like the skilled old man who can sleep soundly,
Climbing mountains, crossing waters endlessly, when will all grievances end?
Throughout history, those who seek fame and fortune,
Always end up on the roads.
A tavern at the windy head has good wine,
The sober are few, the intoxicated countless!
A long sandy shore, another long sandy shore, what's its calculation?
A level path appears hazy, a dangerous path seems endless.
Listen to my song “journey's end”,
North mountains countless, south mountains in waves,
What's the point of standing here on the sandy beach?

This poem is used in Vietnamese literature textbooks for grade 11 since 2007.

Source: Poems in Chinese by Cao Bá Quát, Publishing House of Literature, 1976

Untitled

Seven horses leisurely roam, let's add a few more,
Chirping birds in the distance join the gathering.
In the garden, excellent birds play with words,
Outdoors, strange flowers bloom in abundance.
The white sun shines amidst bustling activity,
The blue sky greets the flying insects with a laugh.
Simple words confuse many people's minds,
Respecting the future, one seeks extraordinary talent.

Verses 3 and 4 were originally crafted by a king, known for his unique and imaginative style. He presented them to his officials, claiming they were bestowed upon him by divine beings in a dream. The original verses were ingeniously written in a manner that astonished the court. However, Cao Bá Quát humorously recrafted the poem, substituting certain words with others that cleverly retained the original meaning but altered the form. The king, upon hearing the revised poem, fell silent in astonishment, while his officials stood dumbfounded.

Source: Selected Translations of Chinese Poetry, Thuận Hoá Publishing House, 1997.

The Fleeting Nature of Human Life

Human life on Earth is but a fleeting journey,
Spanning countless days and years.
It resembles a dream, a shadow, a glove,
Reminding one of the ancient adage 'Life is impermanent.'

Mountains and rivers flow, seasons revolve,
The moon and stars shine, all on a single boat.
Extending a hand, a talented individual shares a drink,
A sacred toast, a verse that pleases the divine.
In those cities, in those worldly affairs,
Everywhere, there's snow, moonlight, wind, and flowers.
Through four seasons of spring and autumn, life goes by.

Source: Complete Works of Cao Bá Quát - Volume 1, National Research Center for Cultural Studies, Literature Publishing House, 2004

The Western Lady's Journey

The Western lady's attire resembles snow,
Lonesome beneath the moon's serene glow.
Gazing at the Southern boat's firelight afar,
She pulls her robe, whispering to a star.
A languid hand holds a cup of milk,
Amidst the cold night, where ocean winds silk.
Tilting, she beckons her partner to rise,
Unaware, perhaps, of someone's lonely goodbyes!

Translation:

The Western lady, her garment as snow,
Leans against her husband under moonlight's glow.
Watching the Southern boat's fiery blaze,
She adjusts her clothes, whispering in a daze.
A lazy hand clutches a cup of milk,
Through chilly nights, where sea winds bilk.
Tilting, she nudges her husband awake,
Unaware of a Southerner's heartache.

This poem was once included in the Literature textbook for 11th grade from 1990 to 2006, but has been omitted from the textbooks since 2007.

Source: Selected Vietnamese Poetry and Prose (Volume III), Culture Publishing House, Hanoi, 1963

Drinking to Forget Sorrows (Part 2)

The world's ups and downs, military affairs and wilderness questions,
Peaceful valleys and deep seas with pearl cities.
Wringing hands, pondering everywhere,
Bringing dreams to compare with reality, it's all the same.
The clear wind above the river,
The bright moon amidst the mountains.
Heaven's wealth is shared, but one's own is endless.
Life's square circle is left to its holy frame,
Who finds joy in urban streets or wilderness trails.
Beating rhythm, reciting the verse “Advancing with Wine”:
“The army doesn't see;
The Yellow River's waters come from the heavens above,
The waves keep flowing to the sea without turning back.”
What's the point of exhausting a lifetime.

The title of this poem in the Literary Forum is 'Life weariness,' and in the Vietnamese ca trù it is transcribed as 'Thinking about life and feeling weary.'

Source: The Complete Works of Cao Bá Quát - Volume 1, Center for National Studies, Literature Publishing House, 2004

Silver Tomb

The mountain peak shrouded in backward wind,
The tranquil mist reflects like glass.
Fireflies flicker, their light not concealed,
Mosquitoes roam freely, never feeling hunger.
Pillows soaked with lingering melancholy,
The heart perches in a faraway tower.
Early morning seaweed, late blooming chrysanthemums,
Each sways gently, a few branches in sight.

Source: Complete Works of Cao Bá Quát - Volume 1, National Institute for Han-Nom Studies, Literature Publishing House, 2004

To Dong Du Village, Night of Fitful Sleep

At the river's edge I stand, gazing at my homeland.

Homeland, not so distant, not miles away,

Why then does it seem forever out of reach?

As I walk, I hesitate, restless and anxious.

No one to carry my hammock, nowhere to go,

No one to await my arrival.

Since the burdens of life took hold,

Half my hot blood has slowly cooled.

The path of life, a sea of illusions and winds,

When will life's warmth and cold ever change?

The hat still hangs, waiting for a promised day,

Which gate knows where I'll be in the future!

The old tasks of fields and gardens,

Moss and wild grasses, who bothers to look!

Relatives, now few and far between,

A meal of pickled vegetables and salt, still uninviting.

When will the parting come?

It's better to keep silent, afraid of words.

The sun's shadow has already faded in the west,

Yet the yearning for the homeland remains.

Source: Complete Works of Cao Bá Quát

Solitary Contemplation

Newborn dawn fades into dusk,
Early cold bids farewell to autumn.
A lifetime spent amidst illness and woes,
The world's ultimate imprisonment.
Bound by the sword of fate,
Calls echo through the desolate plains.
Resolute, the heart perseveres,
Yet the mind knows no respite from sorrow.

Source: Cao Bá Quát: Complete Works - Volume 1, Center for National Studies, Publishing House of Literature, 2004.

The Gentleman and the Fair Maiden

The gentleman and the fair maiden, bound by fate,

A dilemma, how to untangle the web of life.

Through ages past, we've seen countless tales,

One love blooms, another withers, who dares assure.

The fair maiden, with her captivating charm,

The gentleman, with his noble sentiments.

Who can say, like rain pouring or water flowing,

Like a cool breeze or a clear moon.

Playfully teasing, they keep each other guessing.

Heaven and earth may conspire to bring them together,

But reunion often comes much later.

If you love each other, remember your promises.

Often, these gentlemen and fair maidens,

Ultimately suffer for the sake of love.

Thinking of the source of shame under the blue sky,

Feeling resentful alongside the silvery moon.

A solitary sigh, tears fall like pearls,

But even pearls are sold at a low price.

Blaming fate, angry at destiny,

Love and fate intertwine, stirring deep emotions.

Even gold and silver hearts are entangled,

The pain intensifies with each pang.

Who will bear the burden of longing?

Source: Cao Bá Quát: Complete Works

Nostalgia

Transient guests wander many roads,

At dawn, the lotus emits its fragrant scent,

How strange the autumn colors in this old garden,

The flowers here have already been mocked by dew.

Source: Cao Bá Quát: Complete Works