和渊明饮酒二十首(其四) - 韦应物
Drinking Wine with Yuanming: Twenty Poems (IV) - Wei Yingwu
A Moment of Tranquility Amidst Nature's Beauty
栖栖失群鸟
Restlessly, the bird that has lost its flock
日暮犹独飞。
Still flies alone as dusk falls.
徘徊无定止，
Wandering without a fixed stop,
夜夜声转悲。
Its cries grow sadder with each night.
厉响思清远，
Sharp and clear, it yearns for distant purity,
去来何依依。
Coming and going, how lingering it feels.
因值孤生松，
By chance, it encounters a solitary pine tree,
敛翮遥来归。
And draws in its wings, coming from afar to return.
劲风无荣木，
Strong winds strip other trees of their glory,
此荫独不衰。
But this shade remains undiminished.
托身已得所，
Having found a place to entrust its body,
千载不相违。
For a thousand years, it will not part from this spot.
- The translation preserves the original punctuation and meaning while rendering the classical Chinese into natural English.
Introduction to the Poem
"和渊明饮酒二十首(其四)" is a classical Chinese poem written by the Tang Dynasty poet Wei Yingwu, also known as Chiangnan. The poem depicts a solitary bird that has lost its flock and continues to fly alone even as dusk falls. This imagery serves as an allegory for the poet's own feelings of isolation and search for a place of belonging.
Line-by-Line Analysis
栖栖失群鸟，日暮犹独飞。
The opening lines introduce us to a bird that has become separated from its flock. The term "栖栖" conveys a sense of restlessness and unease. As evening approaches ("日暮"), the bird still flies alone ("独飞"), highlighting its solitude and lack of direction. This sets the tone for the poem, evoking a feeling of loneliness and aimlessness.
徘徊无定止，夜夜声转悲。
These lines describe how the bird wanders without finding a stable resting place. The word "徘徊" suggests a continuous movement back and forth, indicating indecision or uncertainty about where to go next. Each night, its cries grow more sorrowful ("声转悲"), emphasizing the deepening sense of despair and longing for companionship or shelter.
厉响思清远，去来何依依。
Here, the sharpness of the bird's call ("厉响") reflects its desire for clarity and distance from its current predicament. The phrase "思清远" implies a yearning for purity and tranquility far away from turmoil. Despite this aspiration, the bird remains attached to its past movements ("去来何依依"), unable to fully detach itself from what it once knew.
因值孤生松，敛翮遥来归。
In these lines, the bird encounters a lone pine tree ("孤生松"). This discovery offers a potential refuge. The bird folds its wings ("敛翮") and flies towards this newfound sanctuary. The act of returning ("遥来归") symbolizes a moment of resolution and hope amidst its previous wandering.
劲风无荣木，此荫独不衰。
This couplet contrasts the harsh winds that strip other trees of their foliage with the enduring shade provided by the solitary pine. While strong winds typically cause plants to wither ("劲风无荣木"), the shade offered by this particular tree remains unwavering ("此荫独不衰"). This resilience mirrors the steadfastness the bird seeks in its quest for stability.
托身已得所，千载不相违。
Finally, the concluding lines express a sense of fulfillment. Having found a suitable place to settle ("托身已得所"), the bird—and metaphorically, the poet—feels assured that this haven will remain unchanged through time ("千载不相违"). There is a promise of permanence and loyalty between the bird and its chosen abode, suggesting a resolution to the earlier themes of displacement and uncertainty.
Overall Themes and Symbolism
- Isolation and Belonging: The central theme revolves around the bird's journey from isolation to finding a place where it belongs. This mirrors human experiences of searching for one’s niche or community.
- Nature as Refuge: Nature, particularly the solitary pine tree, serves as a symbol of refuge and constancy. It represents an ideal environment where one can find peace and security.
- Resilience: Both the bird and the pine exhibit resilience against adverse conditions, underscoring the importance of perseverance in overcoming challenges.
Conclusion
Wei Yingwu's "和渊明饮酒二十首(其四)" uses vivid imagery and poignant symbolism to explore profound themes of solitude, belonging, and resilience. Through the narrative of a lone bird seeking shelter, the poem captures universal human emotions and aspirations, making it a timeless piece that resonates across cultures and epochs.
Key points
This poem reflects on finding peace in simplicity, embracing solitude as a path to self-awareness, and appreciating the serene beauty of nature while savoring life’s modest pleasures like drinking wine alone under the vast sky.
Comments
Galactic BreezeReading it, I picture a tranquil evening, perhaps a few crickets chirping in the background, while the poet’s mind drifts in calm reflection.
Celestial Cyber PulseIt’s comforting to feel that sense of continuity across centuries, as though the act of raising a cup has always been a path to quiet connection.
Fusion LogicThere’s a gentle echo of Tao Yuanming’s original voice in each verse, paying homage while weaving Wei Yingwu’s unique perspective on solitude and companionship.
Digital Solar FlareIn contrast to Wei Yingwu’s more outward-focused nature poems, here the focus is inward, showing how an everyday ritual can unlock deeper introspection.
PrimeSentrYou can almost hear the faint clink of cups, blending with the poet’s gentle sigh as he leans into the comfort of quiet reverie.
Crimson StarThere’s a palpable respect for Tao Yuanming’s influence, almost like a gentle nod across time to a kindred soul who also valued simplicity and nature’s quiet lessons.
Electric WaveThere’s an intimacy here—like the poet is sharing not just a drink but a glimpse into his private musings on life, friendship, and fleeting contentment.
ShadowWratI’m reminded of modern craft beer gatherings, where people reconnect over the simplest of pleasures—just as the poet does with these quiet cups of drink.
Sharp White HawkIt’s a poem that whispers: sometimes the best conversations bloom from shared silence, a few cups, and a heart open to simple joy.
Brave CrowA gentle toast to the human spirit threads through every line, capturing a tranquil kind of celebration.
Urban Electric SurgeThe language is as smooth as the drink itself, gliding through the mind and leaving behind a soft, reflective aftertaste.
Thunder WolfIn its own restrained manner, the poem offers a glimpse of inner peace, as though the poet trades worldly concerns for a soft refuge in the shared act of drinking.
Frosty HeronWhenever I read this, I’m struck by how something as simple as a shared drink can become a profound metaphor for connection, introspection, and the beautifully fragile nature of being alive.
Stealthy LynxThe flow of words matches the measured pace of a low-key gathering, where one savors each cup, each conversation, and each pause.
Cosmic FalconReading it conjures the soft glow of lamplight and the hush of a secluded corner, where worries slip away with every gentle reflection.
PsychoDrivCompared to Li Bai’s more exuberant drinking poems, Wei Yingwu’s approach here is quieter, focusing on subtle reflections rather than grand, moonlit revelries.
Bold Red Bat CaveIt’s as though each stanza pauses to savor the moment, reminding us how crucial it is to slow down and truly be present, even if only for a passing evening.
Foxy Blue Dog DenThe poem’s understated warmth lingers like the mellow glow of wine shared among friends.
AstralNovaEven in its serene tone, a subtle hint of longing lingers—perhaps for simpler times, or for deeper bonds forged through life’s small rituals.
- Brave Crow
Each sip described seems less about indulgence and more about appreciating the fragile beauty of fleeting moments.
HyperNovaXThe lines feel like a slow exhale after a stressful day, each sip of wine dissolving the clamor of the outside world.
Celestial Cyber RhythmThis piece recalls Du Fu’s farewell poems, but instead of parting sorrow, it offers a mellow companionship with the self and the gentle presence of wine.
