English Rendering
Once more I come to Eastern Hill.
How many times has blown the rose?
White clouds gather and scatter still.
Where sinks the moon of yore? Who knows?
The Eastern Hill (One of Two Poems)
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)
《忆东山 ( 二首选一 )》
Original Text (中文原文)
不向东山久，蔷薇几度花。
白云还自散，明月落谁家。
Analysis & Context
Xie An,poet-governor of the 4th century,resided in the Eastern Hill where there was a Cave of Roses,and he built the Hall of White Cloud and the Hall of Bright Moon on top of the hill (in present-day Zhejiang Province).
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.
- The Song of a Southern Maid V
- Observing the Moon
- Su Wu
- Ancient Air: A Northern Belle
- Awaiting the Wine That Doesn’t Come
- Consoling Myself
- 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 →