Green Creek - Wang Wei
/青溪 - 王维/
A Journey Beside a Gentle Stream
言入黄花川，每逐青溪水。
I speak of entering Yellow Flower Valley, following the Green Creek’s flow.
随山将万转，趣途无百里。
Around the mountains with countless bends, the fascinating path spans less than a hundred miles.
声喧乱石中，色静深松里。
A roar rises from jagged rocks, while tranquil shades dwell among deep pines.
漾漾泛菱荇，澄澄映葭苇。
Rippling waters carry caltrops and duckweeds, crystal reflections mirror reeds and cattails.
我心素已闲，清川澹如此。
My heart has long been at ease, so calmly does the pure stream flow.
请留盘石上，垂钓将已矣。
Pray let me linger upon a flat stone, casting my line and remaining here forever.
Wang Wei’s “Green Creek” is a serene meditation on nature’s tranquil beauty and its power to bring us into a state of peace. Throughout the poem, the speaker follows the winding path of a pristine stream, immersing himself in the soft roar of waters and the gentle movements of water plants. Through each line, he captures the shifting sights and sounds of a secluded valley, illuminating the delicate balance between natural grandeur and human contentment. The poem highlights how, in the quiet companionship of mountains, pines, and flowing creeks, one can discover an inner stillness that transcends ordinary concerns. By focusing on the small details—such as the sound of running water and the reflection of reeds—Wang Wei illustrates how immersion in nature can be a guiding force, leading us toward self-reflection and simple joys. The ending image, where the poet wishes to remain on a stone to fish forever, underlines this desire for a continual harmony with the landscape. In essence, “Green Creek” suggests that by attuning ourselves to nature’s rhythms, we can find the profound quietude that exists beyond the bustle of daily life.
Key points
Nature offers solace and renewal; a quiet environment fosters inner peace; appreciating simple moments in life can deepen our contentment.
