Poems on the Double Ninth Festival by Tom Sharp

I took a drink and climbed the bank even though I wasn’t feeling well. If you make wine from bamboo leaves, there’ll be no need for chrysanthemums. You used to be able to tell when it would frost because the white geese would fly in. There’s no need to get upset or leave the country because the war will soon be over. * Years ago on this day, everyone got drunk. Now people look at me and blame the wine. I thought I’d have a place at the palace. Even though many serve, few are rewarded. * It was good when there were good men to follow. I haven’t given up all my bad habits. I sing on my own, drink all I can, and enjoy the fragrance that floats in with the dark. * In my hometown, chrysanthemums crowded up the mountainside. That was my happy childhood. Today, hardly anyone there is left. If you could tie your boat to the centuries, there would be too many people to cry for.

九日五首 by 杜甫 (Du Fu)

其一 重阳独酌杯中酒，抱病起登江上台。 竹叶于人既无分，菊花从此不须开。 殊方日落玄猿哭，旧国霜前白雁来。 弟妹萧条各何往，干戈衰谢两相催。 其二 旧日重阳日，传杯不放杯。 即今蓬鬓改，但愧菊花开。 北阙心长恋，西江首独回。 茱萸赐朝士，难得一枝来。 其三 旧与苏司业，兼随郑广文。 采花香泛泛，坐客醉纷纷。 野树歌还倚，秋砧醒却闻。 欢娱两冥漠，西北有孤云。 其四 故里樊川菊，登高素浐源。 他时一笑后，今日几人存。 巫峡蟠江路，终南对国门。 系舟身万里，伏枕泪双痕。 为客裁乌帽，从儿具绿尊。 佳辰对群盗，愁绝更谁论。