Zhang Kejiu Styled Xiaoshan, was born in Qingyuan (today's Yin county of Zhejiang Province). Unsuccessful in his official career, Zhang found his sustenance in traveling in mountains and rivers. He devoted all his literary efforts to the writing of Sanqu poetry and never cared to write plays. Therefore the extant works of Sanqu poetry of Zhang outnumber any other poets of the Yuan dynasty. His poems are mainly descriptions of landscape and expressions of his unrestrained sentiments in a fresh and exquisite style. Zhang also distinguishes himself in combining the techniques of Shi and Ci poetry in writing Sanqu poetry. He pays special attention to the diction, meter, and flavor of poetry, which has a strong influence on later poets.
张可久 字小山，庆元（今浙江鄞县）人。仕途不得志，放浪于山水间。专致力于散曲，不写杂剧，是作品传世数量最多的元散曲作家。作品内容多歌唱山水风景，书写放逸情怀，风格清新秀丽，善于熔铸诗词作法入曲，讲究词藻、格律、韵味，对后世影响很大。
Sights over Separation to the tune of Light Pink
小桃红·离情
Chrysanthemums get old, after several gusts of autumn rain,
几场秋雨老黄花，
Despite worries on the part of those who are to leave in pain,
不管离人怕，
At a sad echo of the lute strings she would herself in tears drown,
一曲哀弦泪双下，
With the lute being put down.
放琵琶，
Under the lamp she demurely gazes at the painting on the screen,
挑灯羞看围屏画，
Outside the door the aeolian bells give sound so sad and keen,
声悲玉马，
On her new handkerchief fresh are traces of tears,
愁新罗帕，
Alas, to the earth's end she sends not her griefs and fears.
恨不到天涯。