The two 'Ya' opened poetry's source, vast and rippling.
Confucius once cleared the channel, wide and unobstructed.
Small openings became streams,
Great swells turned to ponds and banks.
It could make myriad acres clear,
Could let a hundred branches flow.
If the people are irrigated,
The nine grains grow lush and multiply.
Who would have thought Shu Xi's followers,
Would merely continue with 'Filling the Omissions'?
How could they know, far from the sage, their aim went astray?
Five-character verse rose with Li Ling, its themes lament distance.
Great talent disdains petty use, composing became cornered rules.
Later, Ban Jieyu expressed sorrow through her round fan.
Mei's sentiment was exquisite, Cai's rhythm refused to be lowly.
Cao Zhi of Jian'an, dragon-like transformation, peerless in all five.
Liu Zhen's bone and spirit true, Wang Can's form and substance strange.
Ruan Ji first chanted rise and fall, Lu Ji was praised for talent.
Elegant lament ends with Pan Yue, lofty standard remains with Zuo Si.
Yan Nian achieved unique grace, Lingyun pulled out heroic bearing.
Shen Yue's beauty like jade stored, Xie Tiao's brocade of pattern displayed.
Jiang Yan's words gallop wondrous, Bao Zhao's interest emerges solitary and perilous.
The drifting old man of Ze, in his work sought detachment.
After Chen and Sui, many masters, often like sand one can sift.
Chen Zi'ang, the Remonstrator, strongly established to curb decline.
Essence bloomed from Shen and Song, tonal rules mutually sustained.
Among them, were there none long? Tone faults were deeply addressed.
Wang Changling of Jiangning, his name noble, worthy to endure.
Waves reached Li and Du, like the east's vast blue sea.
Qujiang also had talent, skilled in presenting pearls in strings.
On all sides near Liu Fu, afar matching He's pursuit.
Recently, Wei of Suzhou, his spirit and tone most harmonious.
Ling Lun's pipes still exist, but who can blow this tune?