[Poem] SETTING OFF EARLY FROM BAIDI CITY - A Poetic Voyage at Daybreak

This famous work by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai captures the breathtaking speed and magic of a dawn departure from Baidi City. In just a few elegant lines, Li Bai highlights the astonishing transformation of scenery as he travels by boat from an elevated, cloud-laden city across a vast distance to Jiangling in a single day. The poem opens with the grandeur of the early morning sky, suggesting a fresh start and limitless potential. By depicting the thousand-mile journey as fleeting, the poet emphasizes not only the swift current of the Yangtze River but also the feeling of lightness and spontaneity that permeates this voyage.

Throughout the poem, Li Bai contrasts the untamed sound of gibbons echoing across the riverbanks with the apparent ease of his boat’s progress. The gibbons' cries represent nature's raw energy and hint at the challenges of life’s journeys. Yet despite this untamed backdrop, Li Bai’s rapid transit through the towering mountains underscores a miraculous sense of possibility. This contrast showcases how, with determination and favorable circumstances, even seemingly long or daunting travels may be conquered effortlessly.

The brevity of the poem heightens its impact. Each line conveys movement and wonder, mirroring the poet’s emotional state as he savors the beauty of dawn and the excitement of venturing onward. In essence, the poem resonates with awe at both nature’s majesty and human resilience in facing grand journeys. Li Bai reminds readers that a blend of opportunity, fortitude, and the natural world’s momentum can compress distance and time into unforgettable moments. The poem endures as a timeless testament to how spontaneity, hope, and wonder align to inspire personal growth and renewed perspectives.