秋浦歌

Historical Background: This poem emerged in the late Tang Dynasty, a period upended by the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763) which destroyed the dynasty’s long-standing prosperity and threw society into chaos. Cultural Background: It falls into the yuefu genre, a form rooted in folk traditions that prioritizes personal emotional expression, thriving in the Tang Dynasty—China’s golden era of poetry where such works were widely embraced by literati and commoners alike. Social Background: Post-rebellion China was marked by widespread displacement, economic decline, and political unrest, leaving many scholars like Li Bai disillusioned as their dreams of serving the nation faded. Personal Experience: When writing this poem, Li Bai was in his twilight years, wandering southern China after being exiled and later pardoned, grappling with loneliness, financial hardship, and the frustration of unfulfilled political aspirations. Artistic Features & Purpose: The poem seeks to convey overwhelming sorrow through bold hyperbole (three thousand fathoms of white hair) and a delicate metaphor (autumn frost for white hair). Its concise, vivid language merges tangible imagery with intangible emotion, showcasing Li Bai’s signature romantic style while offering an intimate, relatable glimpse into human despair—making it a timeless masterpiece of Tang poetry.