Sending a Letter to a Taoist in the Mountains of Quanjiao - Wei Yingwu
/寄全椒山中道士 - 韦应物/
Reflecting on Silent Peaks and Friendship
寄全椒山中道士
Sending a Letter to a Taoist in the Mountains of Quanjiao
少别道门生，
It’s been a while since I parted from your Taoist gate,
怀归不可胜。
I am overwhelmed by a longing to return.
千峰无人到，
A thousand peaks remain untouched by mortal steps,
一径独猿鸣。
Along a solitary path, only a monkey’s cry is heard.
县远惟连鸟，
The distant county sees only birds linking the horizon,
山深见酒旌。
Deep in the mountains, a wine flag signals rare human presence.
他时一相访，
Perhaps someday we shall visit each other again,
应不厌泉清。
And never tire of those crystalline mountain springs.
In this poem, Wei Yingwu addresses a Taoist friend living in Quanjiao’s secluded mountains, underscoring both the allure and the challenge of solitude. The poet’s opening lines express nostalgia for an earlier time spent together, hinting at how life’s commitments pull him away from the peace he now craves. The imagery of lofty peaks and a distant county emphasizes remoteness, yet the presence of a lone wine flag suggests the warmth of occasional fellowship. While monkeys and birds fill the silence with subtle signs of life, the human voice is notably absent. This contrast reveals how, for the poet, true tranquility is found beyond the bustle of society.
Yet the poem is no mere celebration of hermitage. Wei Yingwu’s longing for reunion echoes through every couplet, reminding us that human connection holds value equal to the spiritual calm of the mountains. By painting an evocative landscape where isolation and companionship intertwine, he challenges readers to reflect on their own balance between solitude and community. In the end, the promise of revisiting these crystal-clear springs stands as hope for a future meeting—an assurance that even physical distance can be bridged by a shared sense of wonder and respect for the natural world.
Ultimately, “Sending a Letter to a Taoist in the Mountains of Quanjiao” captures the poet’s heartfelt wish to break free from worldly routines and find both serenity in nature and a continued bond with a kindred spirit far away.
Key points
• True peace often resides away from worldly distractions.
• Even amid isolation, human connection remains deeply cherished.
• Nature’s beauty provides a timeless setting for renewal and reflection.
