Sobering from Drunkenness in Spring Day
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)
Our life is but a dream,
Why should one toil in vain?
I’m therefore drunk all day
And lie prostrate at the porch.
Awake, I look at the courtyard green;
A bird sings amid flowers fair.
When I ask spring how old it is,
It says I am as old as my song.
I’d sigh, but soon I check my breath;
I drink my cup of wine instead.
I sing until the moon rises bright;
My song over, I forget the feeling.
Composed after Li Bai's dismissal from court ("golden dismissal"), this work reflects profound soul-searching following his fall from political prominence. In 744 CE, the poet left Chang'an with spiritual wounds, his ideals of governance shattered. This poem typifies his later philosophy—beneath seemingly unrestrained drunkenness lies serious inquiry into life's value and resolute detachment from worldly pursuits.
处世若大梦，胡为劳其生？
所以终日醉，颓然卧前楹。
觉来眄庭前，一鸟花间鸣。
借问此何时？春风语流莺。
感之欲叹息，对酒还自倾。
浩歌待明月，曲尽已忘情。
- 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.