In the slant of the sun on the country-side,
Cattle and sheep trail home along the lane;
And a rugged old man in a thatch door
Leans on a staff and thinks of his son, the herdboy.
There are whirring pheasants, full wheat-ears,
Silk-worms asleep, pared mulberry-leaves.
And the farmers, returning with hoes on their shoulders,
Hail one another familiarly.
…No wonder I long for the simple life
And am sighing the old song, Oh, to go Back Again!
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This poet has an uncanny way of bringing you INTO the "story". I'm sitting here thinking back on the days of when my life was much simpler... as a child... looking and doing. Wang Wei's skill is evident as he didn't lose the feel of the simplicity by writing about it either. It is all in tact.
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The simple life often does look so much better, as the poet shows, but the hard work that is involved can often make many quiver in their shoes when they see it.
Having worked both in some degree, I do enjoy the harder work, but the luxuries of modern times.
I can agree with this piece in many ways. -
I can see a man walking down the road or sitting upon a knoll near his home,returning home from his travels. Possibly as a young, man anxious to leave the country for what he thought was a far more adventurous world. Only to come to a point in his life where he realizes just how simple life was and yes there is happiness in the simple things in life. But more than that, I think he has come full circle in the understanding of just what that phrase really means.
The flow of this poem is so soft and graceful. You can imagine this poem in a painting or a movie. Almost like a scene right out of "The Good Earth". Or this poem being born from a painting. He gives such imagery with such simple words. Simply Beautiful!!
~Michelle~
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To see the everyday world and still find it something to admire akes a lot of vision, perhapse we too should look at the world we live in more closely, and find the beauty in the simple life.
Andrew -
each description is a perfect image of traquility and I echo Wei's last lines in my heart. a beautiful poem that creates and atmosphere in which the reader can be immersed and come out peaceful and serene.
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Great Exercise
This seems like it would be a great study in writing for me. I will give it a try. Thank you for the intersting information on the creator of this wonderful art form. It seems so fluid, and refreshing. Kinda brings a bit of serenity, and peace. Thank You!
~Poetryality~ -
I empathize with this feeling. The life in countryside is unhurried and serene.
krishna -
Wonderful nostalgia ... I love the simplicty of this poetry.
(Why the questionmark in the 5th line?)
Thank you for introducing me to the work of Wang Wei!
Myra
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