Philip Athans’s Reviews > Po Chü-i: Selected Poems > Status Update
Philip Athans
is on page 18 of 172
Ten years, nothing but grueling study;
a mistake perhaps, but suddenly my name's on the list.
Just passing is no real prize, though;
true glory comes when you break good news to parents.
Six or seven friends who passed at the same time
see me off from the imperial city.
Canopied carriages set out in procession…
Written in China 1226 years ago, the first poem is instanty and entirely relatable.
— Feb 03, 2026 10:33AM
a mistake perhaps, but suddenly my name's on the list.
Just passing is no real prize, though;
true glory comes when you break good news to parents.
Six or seven friends who passed at the same time
see me off from the imperial city.
Canopied carriages set out in procession…
Written in China 1226 years ago, the first poem is instanty and entirely relatable.
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Philip’s Previous Updates
Philip Athans
is on page 113 of 172
since leaving my native place I’ve labored to no purpose,
in the end done nothing to better the world’s plight.
Why be forever like duckweed on the waves,
never like a stone unmoving in the stream?
—Po Chü-I, 822 C.E.
— Feb 09, 2026 08:43AM
in the end done nothing to better the world’s plight.
Why be forever like duckweed on the waves,
never like a stone unmoving in the stream?
—Po Chü-I, 822 C.E.
Philip Athans
is on page 41 of 172
The poem “In the Midst of Illness, Grieving for Golden Bells” is immensely sad.
— Feb 04, 2026 07:22AM
