Old poems describing water include: "South Lake", "Peach Blossom Stream", "Looking at Dongting Lake as a Gift to Prime Minister Zhang", "Crossing the Watershed", "Xuanzhou Qingxi", etc.
1. "South Lake"
Tang Dynasty·Wen Tingyun
The breeze from the lake is cool, and the water chestnuts are turned over and return to the pond.
The wild boats landed on the shore and nestled in the spring grass, and the waterbirds carried the waves and flew into the sunset.
The sound of reed leaves is like mist and rain, and the endless waves are like Xiaoxiang.
Guests returning to the east in a floating canopy boat, looking at each other in the sun and recalling the hometown of Chu.
Translation: The breeze on the South Lake brings a cool breeze, and the water chestnut leaves fluttering in the wind fill the pond. Wild boats docked on the shore covered with spring grass; under the setting sun, water birds flew with ripples of light. The rustling of the reed leaves in the wind is probably due to the drizzle falling from the sky, and the boundless waves resemble the scenery of Dongting. Watching the tented boats floating on the lake all day long, I, a returning visitor, couldn't help but think of my hometown by Taihu Lake.
2. "Peach Blossom Stream"
Tang·Zhang Xu
The flying bridge is faintly separated by wild smoke, and fishing boats are seen on the west bank of Shiji.
The peach blossoms follow the flowing water all day long. Where is the hole in the clear stream?
Translation: A high bridge appeared through the clouds and smoke, asking about fishing boats on the west bank of the rock. Peach blossoms flow with the water all day long. Which side of the clear stream is the entrance of Taoyuan Cave?
3. "Looking at Dongting Lake as a Presentation to Prime Minister Zhang"
Meng Haoran of the Tang Dynasty
In August, the lake is horizontal, and the water is too clear.
The clouds are steaming over Mengze, and the waves are shaking Yueyang City.
Translation: The autumn water is rising, almost level with the shore, and the water and sky are blurred and confused, becoming one with the sky. The water vapor in Yunmeng Daze is steaming white, and the rough waves seem to shake Yueyang City.
4. "Crossing the Water Ridge"
Tang Dynasty·Wen Tingyun
The ruthless stream seems to be affectionate, and it takes three days to walk in the mountains.
Lingtou is the place where we part ways, the sound of farewell is heard all night long.
Translation: The stream is ruthless but seems to have affection for me. It has been with me for three days in the mountains. The top of the mountain is where we parted ways, saying goodbye to the sound of water flowing all night long.
5. "Qingxi in Xuanzhou"
Li Bai of Tang Dynasty
The clear stream clears my heart, and its water color is different from other waters.
I would like to ask Xin'anjiang why this is so.
Translation: The water color of Qingxi River gives me a pure feeling. The water color of Qingxi River is different from other places with water. Even if the water color of Xin'an River is crystal clear, it can't be compared with Qingxi River.