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。
On the Lake on a Spring Day to the tune of Embroidered Red Shoes
红绣鞋·春日湖上
By the green trees at the door sheltered is the shop of wine,
绿树当门酒肆，
In the lake are reflected the hair-coils of beauties so fine.
红妆映水鬟儿。
At the poet of improvisation at the table their sheep's eyes are cast.
眼底殷勤座间诗，
Characters, here and there, on walls are buried in dust,
尘埃三五字，
Indicating feelings as manifold as ten thousand willow boughs.
杨柳万千丝，
Years and years ago they recorded my whereabouts.
记年时曾到此。