A Poor Scholar I
- Poetry of Tao Yuanming
Every thing has its resting place;
Alone the cloud’s drifting in vain.
Melting in air, it leaves no trace.
When can we see its glow again?
Morning clouds rise from mist of night,
All birds fly to welcome the day.
One in the woods is late in flight
But early on its homeward way.
I’ll keep to beaten track of yore,
Though from hunger and thirst not free.
There’re no connoisseurs any more.
Why should poverty sadden me?
This poem was composed by Tao Yuanming after his resignation from officialdom, using the image of a "poor scholar" to express his personal circumstances and ideal character. At a time of political turmoil and frequent dynastic changes, Tao abandoned his official career to return to farming, disdaining glory and wealth while maintaining his noble integrity. This series of seven poems all adopt the persona of a "poor scholar" to articulate the scholar's aspirations, effectively serving as the poet's self-portrayal. The first poem opens with imagery of solitary clouds, morning mist, and returning birds, employing natural symbols to convey human solitude, expressing both his rejection of official life and lament over the difficulty of finding kindred spirits.
万族各有托，孤云独无依。
暧暧空中灭，何时见馀晖。
朝霞开宿雾，众鸟相与飞。
迟迟出林翮，未夕复来归。
量力守故辙，岂不寒与饥？
知音苟不存，已矣何所悲。
- 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.
- A Poor Scholar I
- Reading The Book of Mountains and Seas I
- An Elegy for Myself I
- Pale Yellow Willow: Lodging West of Red-Rail Bridge, Hefei
- Charm of a Maiden Singer: A Boat Amidst Blushing Blooms
- Hidden Fragrance: Moonlight of Bygone Days
- Early Summer: Seeking Yu Creek After Rain
- Midnight Vigil in West Garden
- Villager's Song I
- Villager's Song II