Cui Tu

Cui Tu (崔塗, roughly 854-905), courtesy name Huaiwei (懷渭), was a Chinese poet of the late Tang Dynasty. Born in Qiujiang (秋江, present-day Tongling, Anhui province), Cui Tu served in the military administration under Duke Zhao of Zhenhai (鎮海節度使趙鍠). He is best known for his jueju (quatrains) poems, often characterized by a melancholic and solitary tone. While his official career was unremarkable, his poetic talent earned him a place in the history of Chinese literature. His works were included in the Quan Tangshi (Complete Tang Poems) anthology. Recurring themes in Cui Tu's poetry include travel, the beauty of nature, and reflections on the passage of time and human experience. His style is often described as simple and direct, yet evocative and emotionally resonant. He is considered a minor, but respected, poet of the late Tang period.