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Chang Yueh (667–731) was a native of Loyang and was considered by many to be the greatest poet of the early eighth century. He was also an advisor of several emperors who held him in the highest regard. Upon Chang’s death, Emperor Hsuan-tsung (r. 712–756) declared two days of national mourning. Chang, however, also suffered numerous rustications to outlying provinces. He wrote this poem after he returned home from “assignment” to Szechuan, via the road that led north from Chengtu to Ch’ang-an and then east to Loyang. Following an earlier banishment to Hunan, Chang’s contemporaries noted the change in his poetry from external description to more meditative, introspective verse. Before Chang left Chengtu, he agreed to meet a friend traveling by a different route on the Mid-Autumn Festival in Loyang. Chang arrived home later than expected. But is it the lateness of his arrival that surprises him, or his own old age, or the death of someone dear to him?

Delayed on the Szechuan Road

CHANG YUEH

A traveler races the sun and moon

coming and going according to plan

but autumn wind doesn’t wait

it reaches Loyang before me