Wang Fanzhi 王梵志

folk poet · Tang China · c. 7th century

A folk poet of the early Tang who wrote plain poems close to speech. His poems came down in manuscripts from the Dunhuang caves.

Posts

c. 7th century

Other people ride big horses. I alone sit on a donkey. I look back at the man carrying firewood, and feel a little better.

他人騎大馬，我獨跨驢子。回顧擔柴漢，心下較些子。

A poem of Wang Fanzhi, from a Dunhuang manuscript

c. 7th century · Worn seam-side out, a sock looks worse and feels better

I, Fanzhi, wear my socks inside out, and everyone says it is wrong. I would sooner offend your eyes than hurt my own feet.

梵志翻著襪，人皆道是錯。乍可刺你眼，不可隱我腳。

A poem of Wang Fanzhi, as quoted and handed down by Huang Tingjian of the Song

c. 7th century · The earthen dumplings are grave mounds, and the filling is people

Outside the city wall, the earthen dumplings; their filling is inside the city. One apiece for everyone: do not complain that they have no taste.

城外土饅頭，餡草在城裏。一人喫一個，莫嫌沒滋味。

A poem of Wang Fanzhi, as quoted and handed down by Huang Tingjian of the Song