English Rendering
Frosted grass, a lonely grey. Insects chirping low.
In all the village, North and South, travellers are home.
Out alone, before the gates, I gaze on night's dark fields.
Bright, the moon, and here below, barley flowers like snow.
Village Night
- Poetry of Bai Juyi
《村夜》
Original Text (中文原文)
霜草苍苍虫切切，村南村北行人绝。
独出门前望夜田，月明荞麦花如雪。
Analysis & Context
Bai Juyi is the first Chan poet. And as "The God of Poetry," he is the measure of all Zen poetry. He stands, fully aware, in the middle of his poetry. His individuality is always there, as it should be. Bai Juyi shows us there is absolutely more to what we are than the impermanent self.
Reader's Companion
The Essence of the Verse
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.
Reading Between the Lines
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
- Yiai Temple
- Early Spring
- The Zither
- On Qiantang Lake in Spring
- Spring View in Hangzhou
- Song of Willow Branch
- The Summit Temple
- <Prelude to Water Melody> Sent to Ziyou on Mid-autumn Festival
- Invitation to Wine
- Question and Answer in the Mountains
- Cold sheet
- Coming Home ( Returning Home )
The Masters' Directory
Journey through the dynasties. Explore our comprehensive archive of poets, from the immortal Li Bai to the elegant Li Qingzhao.
View All Poets →