Du Fu

What if a poem could show the sadness of war as clearly as a photograph? Meet Du Fu — one of China's greatest poets from the Tang dynasty (8th century). He is famous for writing honest, caring poems about real people and hard times.

Today we'll focus on the most important thing about Du Fu: his poems tell true stories of ordinary people's lives. During the An Lushan Rebellion in the 750s, Du Fu saw hungry families, ruined homes, and traveling soldiers. He wrote about these scenes with sympathy and simple, clear words.

Du Fu wrote about 1,400 poems that survived. He mastered strict poetic forms and turned careful rules into powerful stories. People later called him the 'Poet-Historian' because his poems read like tiny history books full of feeling. He also knew the famous poet Li Bai, whose playful style was different from Du Fu's serious voice.

Why does Du Fu still matter? His poems help us understand history and remind us to notice other people's lives. You can visit the Du Fu Thatched Cottage in Chengdu, read a short translation, or try writing a poem that tells someone's true story. If you watch carefully and care deeply, you can write like Du Fu.