[updated September 2022]
Return to Wang Chuan
归 辋 川 作
谷 口 疎 钟 动
渔 樵 稍 欲 稀。
悠 然 远 山 暮
独 向 白 云 归。
菱 蔓 弱 难 定
杨 花 轻 易 飞。
东 皋 春 草 色
惆 怅 掩 柴 扉。
Gui Wang Chuan Zuo
Gu kou shu zhong dong
Yu qiao shao yu xi.
You ran yuan shan mu
Du xiang bai yun gui.
Ling man ruo nan ding
Yang hua qing yi fei.
Dong gao chun cao se
Chou chang yan chai fei.
Return to Wang Chuan
Bell-ringing sounds faint and intermittent from the mouth of the valley
The few fishing and gathering firewood have very few wants and needs.
Easy and carefree, the distant mountains at sunset
Alone, returning towards the white clouds.
Water caltrop vines delicate and difficult to still
Poplar flowers easily become airborne.
Eastern marsh the color of spring grasses
With disappointment and sorrow I close the interior shutters.
Notes:
Wang Chuan: Wang Wei’s country estate and house located outside the capital city of Chang’an (modern day Xi’an). Here, Wang Wei spent his vacations and periods of time in between imperial assignments. For more information see the Wang Wei biography on this website and follow this link: Wang River.
Fishermen and those gathering wood: Metaphor for people living lives of simplicity and modest means, as well as far away from the wealth and corruptions of the capital city.