He Zhizhang (c. 659–744) was a celebrated¹ poet of the Tang Dynasty, best known for his simple, unadorned style and his longevity², living well into his eighties. He was a high-ranking official during the reign³ of Emperor Xuanzong, serving as a tutor to the crown prince and as a respected scholar in the Hanlin Academy. He Zhizhang is most famous for two short poems: "Returning to My Hometown" and "The Willow⁴." "Returning to My Hometown," written after a fifty-year absence, poignantly⁵ captures the bittersweet experience of returning to one's birthplace only to find that the only people who recognize him are children who mistake him for a stranger. The final couplet, "My speech remains⁶ the same, my hair has turned grey / Children I meet don't know me, smiling ask: 'Stranger, where are you from?'" is one of the most touching expressions of nostalgia⁷ and the passage of time in Chinese poetry. "The Willow" is a delicate, charming lyric⁸ that compares the slender leaves of a willow tree to jade⁹ ribbons cut by the spring breeze, celebrating the season's generative power. He Zhizhang was also known for his unconventional, carefree personality, earning him the nickname "Madman of the Four Brightnesses." He was close friends with Li Bai, who admired his talent and spirit. He Zhizhang's poetry, though not voluminous, continues to be memorized and recited by children and adults alike for its clarity, warmth, and emotional resonance¹⁰.

贺知章（约659–744）是唐代著名诗人，以其清新质朴的诗风和长达八十余岁的高寿著称。他是唐玄宗时期的朝廷重臣，曾任太子宾客和秘书监等职，深受皇帝信任。贺知章最为人熟知的诗作是《回乡偶书》和《咏柳》。其中《回乡偶书》写于他辞官返乡之际，距他离乡已过了五十多个年头。诗中“少小离家老大回，乡音无改鬓毛衰。儿童相见不相识，笑问客从何处来？”这几句以极其朴素自然的语言，将一个游子久别重逢故土的复杂心绪刻画得淋漓尽致，成为中国文学史上表达乡愁与岁月沧桑最动人的诗篇之一。《咏柳》则以细腻清新的笔触，将二月春风比作剪刀，把柳树的嫩叶比作碧玉裁剪出的丝带，赞美了春天的创造力。贺知章为人旷达不羁、洒脱豪放，自号“四明狂客”。他与李白是挚友，李白的才华深得他的赏识。贺知章的诗作虽不算多，但因语言明快、情感真挚而广为流传，至今仍是儿童启蒙和成人诵读的经典。