如梦令(常记溪亭日暮) - 李清照
Like a Dream (Often I Recall the Creekside Pavilion at Dusk) - Li Qingzhao
Twilight Reflections and a Lotus-Laden Path
【Original (Chinese) / English Translation】
常记溪亭日暮，
Often I recall the creekside pavilion at dusk—
沉醉不知归路。
So deep in revelry, I forgot my way home.
兴尽晚回舟，
When our merriment waned, we returned late by boat,
误入藕花深处。
But strayed into the depths of the lotus blossoms.
争渡，争渡，
We struggled to row—struggled and pulled at the oars—
惊起一滩鸥鹭。
Startling a whole sandbank of gulls and egrets.
常记溪亭日暮，
Often I recall the creekside pavilion at dusk—
沉醉不知归路。
So deep in revelry, I forgot my way home.
兴尽晚回舟，
When our merriment waned, we returned late by boat,
误入藕花深处。
But strayed into the depths of the lotus blossoms.
争渡，争渡，
We struggled to row—struggled and pulled at the oars—
惊起一滩鸥鹭。
Startling a whole sandbank of gulls and egrets.
“Like a Dream (Often I Recall the Creekside Pavilion at Dusk)” is a short ci poem by Li Qingzhao, one of the most renowned female poets of the Song Dynasty. Despite its brevity, the poem brims with a sense of spontaneous delight, momentary confusion, and the exhilaration of being enveloped by nature.
In this piece, Li Qingzhao describes a twilight outing to a pavilion by a creek. Lost in merriment and perhaps wine, she and her companions lose their sense of direction on their way back by boat. Yet their misstep leads them into a thicket of lotus blossoms, an experience that, instead of causing anxiety, imparts a whimsical sense of pleasure. The final lines capture both the surprise of struggling with the oars—“Struggled to row, struggled”—and the wonder of rousing a flock of gulls and egrets.
This seamless blending of the natural world with the poet’s mood is characteristic of Li Qingzhao’s style. She portrays joy not as a static feeling, but as something discovered moment by moment, even through small mishaps. The poem’s title, “Like a Dream,” suggests a brief escape from reality, mirroring the fleeting nature of happiness as well as the illusory quality of time. In just a handful of lines, Li Qingzhao conveys both the intoxication of the moment and the gentle stirrings of returning to herself when she realizes how far she’s drifted.
Written in Li Qingzhao’s signature graceful language, this poem resonates with readers who appreciate how a simple outing can transform into an unforgettable memory. Rather than lamenting confusion or mistakes, Li Qingzhao embraces them, shining a spotlight on life’s little joys and how quickly we might lose ourselves in them. It is this guileless acceptance of spontaneity that continues to endear her poetry to modern audiences.
Though the episode is brief, the poem invites us to reflect on the power of an unplanned adventure, set against a softly lit sky and accompanied by the rustle of waterfowl. The intrusion into the lotus-filled waters becomes more than just a geographic error—it stands for the sweet surrender to the present moment, a reminder that sometimes getting lost can be part of the enchantment.
Ultimately, “Like a Dream” epitomizes Li Qingzhao’s delicate balance between refinement and genuine emotion. By elevating a chance detour into a cherished memory, she reminds us that some of life’s greatest pleasures lie off the beaten path. The final image of startled gulls underscores how a human miscalculation can merge with nature’s rhythms—suggesting that, however briefly, both poet and landscape move together in spontaneous accord.
Key points
• Celebrates a moment of pure joy, hinting at how unexpected detours can become cherished memories.
• Illustrates Li Qingzhao’s ability to fuse elegant language with genuine emotion.
• Emphasizes spontaneity—being “drunk” on life and losing one’s way, only to discover new wonders.
• Reminds readers that even brief events can hold enduring meaning when viewed through a poetic lens.
Comments
Digital OasisA mid reflection: illusions soared in a breezy twilight, overshadowed by a comedic slip. The hush that follows is no raw wail, but a gentle, affectionate sign that heartbreak might be bearable if softened by a bit of levity.
Epic Neon WaveShort reflection: each verse emits a playful glimmer, as if parted illusions refuse to fully overshadow the poet’s wry acceptance that laughter can accompany heartbreak’s hush.
PlutoArcanSometimes the poem’s mild heartbreak resonates with travelers who recall comedic fiascos overshadowing dream vacations—like missing a train or forgetting passports. The hush-laden sorrow is tinged with a warm grin that illusions can’t overshadow the sweet comical final twist.
Sturdy IbexA mid reflection: the poem’s hush suggests illusions once soared, but parted swiftly in a comedic mishap. The poet acknowledges heartbreak with a fond, half-smiling tenderness rather than sinking into lament.
DynamoSurgYou can almost sense the poet smothering a quiet smile even while lamenting—like illusions remain dear but overshadowed by the comedic outcome, forging a gentle vow that heartbreak can be softly tempered by humor.
DesertEaglSometimes I see parallels in modern social media posts, where friends recall spontaneous trips that ended in comedic mishaps. This hush-laden poem resonates with that notion: illusions soared briefly, overshadowed by a mild fiasco that stings less than it amuses.
Silent RavenShort but potent: every line stands on the edge between mild sorrow and quiet amusement, weaving illusions and heartbreak into a hush overshadowed by a wry grin at fate’s whimsical hand.
Wild Black FalconCompared yet again with Du Fu’s solemn lament of national crises, Li Qingzhao’s comedic heartbreak here narrows the lens to personal illusions undone by trivial error. Both sorrow over partings, but one deals in public tragedy while the other merges heartbreak with everyday mischief overshadowed by comedic acceptance.
Celestial Pixel SparkThe lines glisten with a gentle nostalgia, like a faint echo of summer joys drifting into twilight’s hush.
ZenithPoweSometimes, reading it echoes how couples break up after a minor fiasco—like missing a dinner reservation that leads to minor arguments overshadowing illusions of a flawless date. The poem’s hush-laden acceptance mirrors that mild fiasco turned comedic memory in hindsight.
Blue HawkAnother modern echo arises in how people share stories of sweet meets that ended in hilarious confusion, overshadowing heartbreak with gentle laughter. The poem’s hush-laden bounce parallels that sense of turning regrets into comedic anecdotes, softening parted illusions with mild acceptance.
Bold Aqua Fox DenUltimately, ‘如梦令(常记溪亭日暮)’ stands as a subtle vow that heartbreak can find a comedic aftertaste. Li Qingzhao harnesses mild fiasco overshadowing illusions, merging sorrow with laughter in a hush-laden memory. It’s a testament to how parted hopes needn’t devolve into heavy lament if we can glean a soft comedic angle, letting illusions fade in a gentle swirl of half-sighs, half-grins.
CrimsonPeaShort but vivid: each phrase conjures a carefree memory overshadowed by mild regret, as though illusions vanished in a single comedic twist.
Crimson TigerShort reflection: illusions once floated high, overshadowed by a comedic twist that reveals heartbreak can be gently endured with a sense of self-deprecating amusement. The hush that follows fosters quiet resilience.
Cosmic BladeIt reminds me of how modern festival-goers recount comedic mishaps—like losing friends in a crowd or slipping in mud. Despite illusions of a perfect day overshadowed by mild fiascoes, folks still treasure the memories, paralleling the poem’s hush-laden acceptance of heartbreak turned lightly humorous.
MirageBladI love how the poem refrains from indulging in pure lament. Instead, it frames parted illusions as a comedic happenstance overshadowing the poet’s night. This hush-laden heartbreak thus becomes more affectionate than bitter.
Fierce Jade Cow PitShort commentary: each line stands like a quiet grin, showing heartbreak overshadowed by a gentle vow that illusions can fade with mild good humor instead of tears.
Lunar GhostA mid reflection: the poem’s subtle tension reveals how fleeting delight can be—joy surges unexpectedly, then dissolves into a half-laugh, half-sigh, forging a gentle vow that heartbreak can coexist with fond recollections.
Loyal Black TigerShort impression: each phrase underscores how illusions, once bright, can vanish abruptly, leaving heartbreak softened by an almost playful sense that regret doesn’t have to drown in tears.
TerraFusioCompared again with Li Qingzhao’s heavier poem ‘一剪梅(红藕香残玉簟秋),’ we see that while both address longing and illusions parted, ‘如梦令(常记溪亭日暮)’ brightens the mood with a comedic twist. The hush of heartbreak here is overshadowed by a mild acceptance that even illusions can end in half-laughter, forging a vow to cherish memories despite the fiasco.
WalterCompared to Li Qingzhao’s ‘声声慢(寻寻觅觅),’ which focuses on a deep heartbreak overshadowed by parting illusions, ‘如梦令(常记溪亭日暮)’ brightens sorrow with a comedic flourish. Both revolve around fleeting joys, yet here the hush is tinted with a subtle grin, bridging heartbreak and humor in the same gentle breath.
