Pure Serene Music: In Misty Vastness of Waters
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)
The mist is deep and the waters wide;
No messenger can go e’en with the tide.
There’s only the moon beyond the cloud
Shining upon our longing vain.
All day I sigh for parting pain;
My sorrow’s locked like brows in vain.
I leave half of my bed at night
For you to come back in dream’s flight.
Though its authorship is uncertain—attributed either to Li Bai or to a poet from the Five Dynasties to early Song period—this ci poem demonstrates mature artistic technique. With subtle and refined brushstrokes, it portrays a pining woman's incessant longing and sorrow amid misty waters and severed communication. Through environmental ambiance, imagery evocation, and detailed depiction, the poem progressively reveals the character's inner solitude and steadfast hope.
烟深水阔，音信无由达。
唯有碧天云外月，偏照悬悬离别。
尽日感事伤怀，愁眉似锁难开。
夜夜长留半被，待君魂梦归来。
- 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.
- The Trader’s Joy
- Seeking the Hermitage of the Reverend Yong
- Dedicated to Yuan Danqiu’s Mountain Home
- The Temple on the Summit
- The orchid
- After Rain at the River Crossing
- Dawn Visit to Yu Pool with Hermit Xie
- To Censors Li and Yuan, with a Message for Wu Wuling
- On Hearing of the Imperial Plowing Ceremony
- Summer Nap