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Li Shangyin (c. 813–858) was a Chinese poet of the late Tang Dynasty, born in Henei (now Qinyang, Henan).  He was much admired and "rediscovered" in the 20th century by the young Chinese writers for the imagist quality of his poems. The painting is David Hockney's.

SWALLOW TERRACE

1 Spring

Wind-rinsed radiance opens landscapes, paths east and west:
how many days seeking a spirit, so lovely and never glimpsed:

the honeycomb’s winged guest is all heart of spring passion:
it knows seductive leaves and enticing branches everywhere,

the sun’s lavish warmth lingering west of those peach trees,
alluring hair gathered and tucked up into a peach-tree bun:

dragon lords and phoenix ladies frolic deep in dark distances:
tangled floss and buffeted gossamer - they confuse heaven too:

woman rising, a little drunk in faint light, and it’s like sunrise,
sunlit blinds, dream cut short, and the drift of remnant voices:

when grief comes, you cast iron nets, hoping to catch coral,
seas vast, heaven wide open - that’s where you lose your Way:

robe and sash are heartless: some Wide open, some pulled tight:
spring mists glistening emerald-green, autumn frost so white:

grind pure cinnabar or crush stone: heaven won’t care which:
longing to roam Heaven-Jail stars, a cheated spirit locked inside:

she puts her thick gauze robe away, and puts on thin raw silk,
her cool slip gracing fragrant skin, her waist-jewels glittering

in this sunlight, too much for spring’s east wind: it’s become
a dark mystery-rinsed radiance sinking away into western seas.