List of classic Taoist poetry:

1. Laozi (Lao Tzu) - Tao Te Ching

   • The Tao Te Ching (The Book of the Way and Its Virtue) contains many poetic verses on the nature of the Tao, harmony, and the interconnectedness of life. • Notable poems: • “The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao” • “Be like water”

2. Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) - The Book of Zhuangzi

   • Known for his allegorical and poetic writings about spontaneity, paradox, and the nature of existence. • Notable passages: • “The Butterfly Dream” • “Perfect Joy” • “The Tao is in everything, everywhere.”

3. Wang Wei (701–761 CE)

   • A Tang Dynasty poet and painter who exemplified Taoist ideals of harmony with nature. • Notable poems: • “Deer Park” (鹿柴) • “The Wang River Collection” • “Spring Dawn on the Mountain”

4. Li Bai (701–762 CE)

   • One of China’s greatest poets, influenced by Taoism, particularly in his carefree and nature-infused poems. • Notable poems: • “Drinking Alone with the Moon” • “Question and Answer in the Mountains” • “In the Quiet Night”

5. Du Fu (712–770 CE)

   • A contemporary of Li Bai, Du Fu often reflected on impermanence and human existence through Taoist themes. • Notable poems: • “Climbing High” • “Autumn Meditations”

6. Bai Juyi (772–846 CE)

   • His simple, direct poems often focused on life’s pleasures, impermanence, and the natural world. • Notable poems: • “Grass” • “Lament of the Old Drunkard”

7. Hanshan (Cold Mountain, 9th Century)

   • A recluse poet whose works reflect a deep Taoist and Zen Buddhist influence. • Notable poems: • “Cold Mountain Poems” (A collection of short, spiritual, and whimsical verses) • “The Way is not hard, just avoid picking and choosing”

8. Tao Yuanming (365–427 CE)

   • A poet who retired to a simple life of farming and embraced Taoist ideals. • Notable poems: • “Returning to My Farm” • “Drinking Wine” • “Peach Blossom Spring”

9. Sun Bu’er (1119–1182 CE)

   • A Taoist nun and poet whose work reflects Taoist alchemy and spiritual cultivation. • Notable poems: • “Clarity and Stillness” • “On the Nature of the Heart”

10. Wei Yingwu (737–792 CE)

    • Known for his tranquil poems capturing nature’s simplicity and the Taoist ideal of quietude. • Notable poems: • “Dwelling in the Mountains” • “At Huazi Temple”

These poets and their works are central to Taoist thought and Chinese literature, each reflecting the simplicity, harmony, and natural wisdom of Taoism. If you’d like to explore specific translations or verses, I can share some in more detail!