Birdsong Brook - Wang Wei
/鸟鸣涧 - 王维/
A Quiet Night Broken by a Sudden Call
人闲桂花落，
When people rest, osmanthus petals drift downward,
夜静春山空。
Night is hushed, and spring mountains lie empty.
月出惊山鸟，
A moonrise startles the mountain birds,
时鸣春涧中。
From time to time, their calls echo in the spring ravine.
In “Birdsong Brook,” Wang Wei offers a delicate portrait of a tranquil spring evening in the mountains. The poet begins by underscoring human idleness—people at rest—while osmanthus blossoms silently drift to the ground. This quiet scene is further emphasized by the notion that the hills themselves seem ‘empty,’ emphasizing how nature often continues its own rhythms in peaceful isolation.
Night and calm dominate the first half of the poem, setting a serene tone that lulls the reader into a sense of gentle stillness. Then, Wang Wei skillfully introduces the moon rising—a brilliant yet subtle act that unexpectedly startles the nearby birds. Their calls reverberate through the ravine, adding a brief moment of liveliness amid otherwise complete stillness.
By merging the hush of the setting with the sudden flashes of activity, Wang Wei highlights the harmony between solitude and the faintest stir of life. This blending of tranquility and fleeting liveliness mirrors key themes in Tang poetry and the poet’s own contemplative sensibility. The poem invites readers to find meaning in quiet observation, suggesting that even in moments of near silence, nature’s gentle presence speaks volumes—if we only pause to listen.
Key points
Wang Wei’s poem illustrates that stillness in nature can evoke profound reflections. The contrast between the silent, empty night and the startled birdsong serves as a reminder that small, unexpected moments can awaken our awareness. In this interplay of hush and call, we glimpse the quiet beauty that often goes unnoticed.
