Li Bai (701-December 762), whose name was Taibai, was named Qinglianjushi, also known as “The Immortal”. A great romantic poet in the Tang Dynasty, he was hailed as “The Immortal of Poetry” by future generations, and he was called “The Immortal of Poetry” together with Du Fu.

 

三五七言[1]

秋风清,

秋月明。

落叶聚还散,

寒鸦栖复惊。

相思相见知何日?

此时此夜难为情!

《三五七言》写的是秋思。前二句每句三字,点明时间是个月白风清的秋夜。中二句每句五字,看得出地点是在树下,满地落叶堆积,被秋风吹到一起,又吹散了;树上的乌鸦感到秋凉,已经栖息,却被秋风秋月惊醒,象征着离散的情人不能入眠。后二句每句七字,写不能入眠的女子思念情人,何时能再见呢?如何度过这冷冷清清、孤孤单单的漫漫长夜呢?这种相思之情真是剪不断,理还乱,别是一般滋味在心头。《三五七言》的句型前短后长,也象征着秋思和秋夜一样越来越深。

注释:

[1]三五七言:一种诗歌体式,全诗三言、五言、七言各两句,因而得名。

Yearning

Fresh autumn breeze,

Bright autumn moon.

Fallen leaves gather and scatter around the trees;

Cold-stricken crows soon fall asleep and wake as soon.

I long for you.When can I see your longing look?

How can I bearthis lonely night,this lonely nook?