Every thing has its resting place;
Alone the cloud’s drifting in vain.
Melting in air, it leaves no trace.
When can we see its glow again?
Morning clouds rise from mist of night,
All birds fly to welcome the day.
One in the woods is late in flight
But early on its homeward way.
I’ll keep to beaten track of yore,
Though from hunger and thirst not free.
There’re no connoisseurs any more.
Why should poverty sadden me?
万族各有托，孤云独无依。
暧暧空中灭，何时见馀晖。
朝霞开宿雾，众鸟相与飞。
迟迟出林翮，未夕复来归。
量力守故辙，岂不寒与饥？
知音苟不存，已矣何所悲。
This poem was composed by Tao Yuanming after his resignation from officialdom, using the image of a "poor scholar" to express his personal circumstances and ideal character. At a time of political turmoil and frequent dynastic changes, Tao abandoned his official career to return to farming, disdaining glory and wealth while maintaining his noble integrity. This series of seven poems all adopt the persona of a "poor scholar" to articulate the scholar's aspirations, effectively serving as the poet's self-portrayal. The first poem opens with imagery of solitary clouds, morning mist, and returning birds, employing natural symbols to convey human solitude, expressing both his rejection of official life and lament over the difficulty of finding kindred spirits.
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
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