Poetry+of+the+Tang

May 8th 618 B.C.

Dear Diary,

This is the year we have a new ruler. He goes by the name of Li Yuan. It is the beginning of the Tang dynasty. A new dynasty, a new start. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chen-Guang, which in my own language means morning light. My name suits me just fine. How did my mother know I would be such a morning person? I’m always up at the crack of dawn. I wish the whole world could see the sunrise; it’s just like a painting. But then again, I love the quiet. This morning I head out to do chores. But it wasn’t chores I was up to. It was what my mama would call snooping. Oh, yes. My mama. As much as I dislike speaking about it, my mama died when I was two, ten years ago. I now live with my Baba or father, and my…stepmother. “Chen-Guang! Get over here and let me tell you your and my morning chores,” shouted my stepmother. My stepmother is the most arrogant, obnoxious, snobby, thing in the whole wide universe. She was blessed with good looks nonetheless. Long black flowing hair, beautiful brown eyes, she was thin, and she had no wrinkles. She could pass for my older sister. The beautiful sister of course. “Coming Ai,” I yelled down the hall. It’s a bit ironic how her name meant “loving”, because she was exactly the opposite. I sighed as I walked down the hall. “CHEN-GUANG!” she shouted irritated. “COMING! COMING!” I shouted back. I muttered something fresh under my breath. When I finally got there, she was lying down, relaxed on a bed. “Fetch some water, walk the dog, clean the house, and go ask the Lei’s for some cinnamon,” she said. “Yes, Ai,” I said bowing in her presence. “What did I tell you to call me?” she asked a bit irritated with me as always. “Alright, my queen,” I said. She smiled in triumph. “That’s better,” she said. As soon as I was finished with the rest of my chores, it was time to go ask the Lei’s for some cinnamon. I walked about 15 minutes and then I came to the Lei’s house. I got kind of nervous when I came to their door. Let me fill you in. There’s this boy, just a year older than me. Thirteen. And his name happens to fit him. His name is Junjie. That means “handsome and outstanding”. Too bad he can be a bit cruel to me at times. He thinks that girls can’t do what boys can. He’s a bit sexist. You see, I just so happen to like poetry. But he says only men can do such a thing as make good poetry. Now, there are four great poets. Their names are Wang Wei, Du Fu, Bo Juyi, and Li Bo. Li Bo happens to be my favorite. He writes imaginative poems and also nostalgic poems. Anyway, I’m just about ready to tell you who opened the door. Wait, Baba is calling me. I’ll continue next time dear diary. Sincerely, Chen-Guang “Beside my bed the bright moonbeams bound almost as if there were frost on the ground. Raising up, I gaze at the moon; Lying back, I think of my old home town.”

“Quiet night thoughts”. By Li Bo

May 9th 618 B.C.

Dear Diary,

I will get to my story about today in a moment. But what happened yesterday. So I arrived at the Lei’s home. Then, I knocked on the door. What I hadn’t hoped for happened. Junjie opened the door. I always get self conscious around him and I looked a mess from just finishing my chores. “Chen-Guang,” he said with his smooth voice and heart-melting smile. “What can I do for you?”