Autumn Words (No. 1) - Liu Yuxi
/秋词(其一) - 刘禹锡/
Celebrating the Brilliance of the Season
自古逢秋悲寂寥，
Since ancient times, autumn has been deemed sad and lonely.
我言秋日胜春朝。
But I declare: an autumn day surpasses a spring dawn.
晴空一鹤排云上，
A lone crane ascends the clear sky, parting the clouds,
便引诗情到碧霄。
Carrying my poetic spirit into the azure heavens.
Since ancient times, autumn has been deemed sad and lonely.
我言秋日胜春朝。
But I declare: an autumn day surpasses a spring dawn.
晴空一鹤排云上，
A lone crane ascends the clear sky, parting the clouds,
便引诗情到碧霄。
Carrying my poetic spirit into the azure heavens.
In “Autumn Words (No. 1),” Liu Yuxi counters the longstanding notion that autumn must be synonymous with melancholy. Traditionally, poets of earlier eras often lamented fall’s arrival, associating it with the fading of life and the coming of cold. Liu Yuxi, however, boldly asserts that autumn can exceed even the charm of spring, setting the stage for new perspectives on nature and life.
The poem’s first line refers to a cultural belief passed down through centuries: that fall is inherently somber. Liu Yuxi then turns this perspective on its head by claiming that autumn surpasses a spring morning, suggesting that the changing colors and fresh air of fall can invigorate the spirit rather than dampen it. In this way, he challenges the reader to embrace a fresh point of view—one not restricted by convention.
The pivotal symbol in this poem is the crane soaring through a clear sky. This majestic image signifies aspiration and spiritual elevation, carrying the poet’s imagination to lofty heights. By illustrating the crane’s flight against a bright, open heaven, Liu Yuxi underscores his optimistic view: autumn, far from being a season of decay, becomes a gateway to artistic inspiration and intellectual freedom.
In Tang Dynasty literature, nature often plays a central role in revealing the poet’s inner world. Here, Liu Yuxi’s depiction of a sweeping autumn sky and a bird in flight parallels his own emotional transcendence. He sees the season not as a descent but as a chance for renewal and deeper reflection.
Overall, “Autumn Words (No. 1)” serves as a powerful reminder that every season has its own form of beauty, waiting to be appreciated. Through defiance of traditional lamentations and the uplifting image of a crane in flight, Liu Yuxi calls on us to see autumn as a time of new beginnings, wonder, and hope. The poem invites us to celebrate the potential hidden within what many consider a season of decline, demonstrating that perspective can reshape one’s experience of the natural world—and life itself.
Key points
• Challenges the conventional view of autumn as gloomy.
• Emphasizes optimism and renewal amid seasonal change.
• Uses the crane’s flight to symbolize spiritual and creative ascent.
• Reminds us that beauty and inspiration can be found in every season.