Birds Calling in the Ravine
- Poetry of Wang Wei
《鸟鸣涧》This is a mysterious poem about listening and manifestation. The poem's structure subtly corresponds to the Zen process of enlightenment: "beginning — unfolding — turning — completion." The first line, "Idleness," is the start of mind-cultivation (beginning); the second, "The spring hills… vacant," is the unfolding of the realm (unfolding); the third, "The moonrise startles," is the triggering of opportunity (turning); the final line, "echo across the springtime dale," is the harmonious realm attained after sudden insight (completion). The poet leads the reader through a spiritual experience that moves from introspection to outward gaze, from stillness to liveliness, and back to a deeper stillness.
I'm idle, as osmanthus flowers fall,
This quiet night in spring, the hill is empty.
The moon comes out and startles the birds on the hill,
They don't stop calling in the spring ravine.
人闲桂花落，夜静春山空。
月出惊山鸟，时鸣春涧中。
- 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 Song of the Spring Palace
- Poems on Army Life IV
- Poems on Army Life V
- West Palace, Autumn
- Hearing the River-Song
- The Lotus Gatherers