Calling on a Taoist Recluse in Daitian Mountain without Meeting Him
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)

《访戴天山道士不遇》

- Last updated: 2024-03-20 14:29:51

中文原文

犬吠水声中，桃花带露浓。

树深时见鹿，溪午不闻钟。

野竹分青霭，飞泉挂碧峰。

无人知所去，愁倚两三松。

English Translation

Dogs'barks are muffled by the rippling brook,

Peach blossoms tinged with dew much redder look.

In the thick woods a deer is seen at times,

Along the stream I hear no noonday chimes.

In the blue haze which wild bamboos divide,

Tumbling cascades hang on green mountainside.

Where is the Taoist gone?None can tell me,

Saddened,I lean on this or that pine tree.

By Li Bai (Li Po)

Why Chinese poems is so special?: The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.

How to read a Chinese poem?: Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

List of Chinese poets