滁州西涧
West Ravine at Chuzhou
Original
独怜幽草涧边生，
上有黄鹂深树鸣。
春潮带雨晚来急，
野渡无人舟自横。
Translation
I cherish the quiet grass growing by the ravine’s side,
Above, an oriole sings from the depths of a tree.
Spring tides surge with rain, rushing fast at dusk,
At the wild ferry, no one’s around— the boat drifts crosswise.
Line by Line Analysis
About This Poem
This poem is a classic landscape work by Wei Yingwu, composed during his tenure as the magistrate of Chuzhou. The verses paint a vivid, tranquil yet dynamic scene: delicate grass thriving in a secluded ravine, an oriole’s melodious song echoing through dense foliage, sudden spring rains swelling the stream, and an unmoored boat drifting aimlessly at a deserted ferry crossing. Beyond the picturesque natural imagery, the poem conveys the poet’s quiet appreciation for unspoiled nature and his subtle sense of detachment from worldly bustle. It reflects his state of mind in his later official years—seeking solace in nature while embracing the spontaneous, unforced rhythm of life, making the work a heartfelt expression of harmony between man and the natural world.
About the Poet
韦应物
Wéi Yìngwù
Wei Yingwu (c. 737–c. 792) was a distinguished poet of the Mid-Tang Dynasty in China. Renowned for his exquisite landscape and pastoral verses, he stood out among contemporary literati with a unique style that fuses serene natural imagery with subtle introspection. Having served as a local official in multiple regions, his works often mirrored his empathy for common people and his longing for spiritual peace, leaving a lasting influence on the development of classical Chinese poetry.
Cultural & Historical Context
Historically, the poem was composed in the Mid-Tang Dynasty, a period following the catastrophic An Lushan Rebellion that devastated the Tang Empire’s golden age. Though the society was slowly recovering, lingering political unrest and economic instability drove many literati to turn to natural landscapes for emotional solace. Culturally, it embodies the core Tang poetic tradition of "jing sheng qing" (scene begets sentiment), where natural imagery serves as a vessel for the poet’s inner thoughts, a hallmark of classical Chinese landscape poetry that emphasizes the harmony between humanity and nature. Socially, as the magistrate of Chuzhou, Wei Yingwu was distanced from court intrigues but witnessed rural hardships in the post-rebellion era; yet this poem focuses on his personal pursuit of spiritual tranquility rather than explicit social critique. Personally, by this time Wei had shifted from a privileged imperial guard to a humble local official, a life transformation that deepened his affection for quiet natural scenes as a refuge from inner restlessness. Creatively, his purpose was to convey detachment from worldly bustle and embrace nature’s spontaneous rhythm; artistically, the poem uses subtle contrasts—serene grass and a chirping oriole against the surging spring tide and drifting empty boat—and concise, vivid language to blend external scenery with internal introspection, crafting a tranquil yet profound artistic realm.