Poem by Du Fu In Cursive Script (Caoshu)

This piece was one of the last (if not the last) calligraphic works that Ye Gongchao rendered before his hospitalization on October 6, 1981. Inspired by discussing poetry with a friend in his studio, Ye created this copy of a Du Fu poem titled "Spring Prospect" (Chunwang). Written in the year 757, the poem makes clear Du Fu's abiding concern for what many considered to be China's unfortunate fate. One year before, Du had left his family in an attempt to serve the exiled emperor Xuantong in the northwestern province of Ningxia. On the way Du was captured by An Lushan's troops and escorted back to the capital. Du expressed his grief in the form of laments about his captive status; it is said that during this period he lost so much hair that what was left was too thin to be held up by a hairpin.

This poem reads:
The nation [is] shattered, though mountains and rivers remain.
The city in spring, grass and trees have grown deep.
Feeling the time, even flowers draw tears.
Resenting separation, even birds strain the heart.
Beacon fires unstoppable through the third month,
A letter from home [is] worth ten thousand in gold.
Hairs whitened, fewer for the scratching;
Desires upset no longer hold a hairpin up.