Composed at Wangchuan Retreat After Continuous Rains - Wang Wei
/积雨辋川庄作 - 王维/
Quiet reflections following days of gentle rainfall
积雨空林烟火迟，
After long rains, the empty forest’s smoke and flames rise late,
蒸藜炊黍饷东菑。
Steaming wild greens and cooking millet to feed those tilling fields in the east.
漠漠水田飞白鹭，
Across misty paddies, white egrets take flight,
阴阴夏木啭黄鹂。
In the dim summer foliage, orioles trill their melodies.
山中习静观朝槿，
Living quietly in the mountains, I observe the morning hibiscus,
松下清斋折露葵。
Keeping a simple fast beneath pines, plucking dew-laden mallows.
野老与人争席罢，
An old villager ceases competing for a seat among the crowd,
海鸥何事更相疑？
Why should the seagulls, once at ease, grow mistrustful once more?
In this poem, Wang Wei captures the calm that settles over his Wangchuan estate once continuous rain finally relents. Each couplet evokes a different facet of a rural world renewed by moisture: the forest still carrying the lingering scent of smoke and dampness, paddies draped in mist while white egrets glide above, and summer trees alive with the songs of orioles. The subdued atmosphere invites a sense of quiet observation—ranging from the steam rising as simple meals are prepared for workers to the marvel of dew-touched foliage.
Wang Wei deftly uses ordinary, close-to-the-earth details to highlight the modest life he embraces. Whether referencing an old villager relinquishing a seat or watchers quietly enjoying the bloom of morning hibiscus, the poem suggests that true contentment is found in communal harmony and mindful engagement with nature. The question of seagulls becoming suspicious of one another carries a subtle allegory: once a balanced environment is disturbed, even tranquil creatures may grow uneasy. Perhaps, Wang Wei is suggesting that human actions—or societal upheavals—can sow mistrust, even in places once defined by peace.
As both a painter and poet, Wang Wei was known for his ability to depict entire scenes in just a few lines, blending spare, evocative language with a painterly sense of focus. Here, the impression of light, water, and stillness merges with a lingering reflection on how humans coexist with the land and its wildlife. Each line subtly emphasizes the importance of attuning oneself to the natural environment and maintaining humility, as life’s true richness unfolds quietly in everyday moments. By the poem’s end, readers are encouraged to consider how easily calm can be unsettled—and how necessary it is to safeguard simplicity in our hearts and surroundings.
Key points
Wang Wei’s poem exemplifies how renewed harmony can emerge after a long period of rain. With minimal but vivid imagery, it reminds us that nature’s rhythms often mirror our internal states: just as the land recovers its calm, so too can humans find serenity if we remain open to humble tasks, modest fellowship, and the subtle wonders in our midst. The passing reference to seagulls’ suspicions hints that true peace must be actively nurtured; otherwise, even tranquil realms can drift into discord.
