Member Poem

Bamboo Retreat

Wang Wei (692-761)
 
 
Alone I sit within the bamboo grove
And lift my lute to strum and hum along;
Within this depth of woods a man forgets —
The bright moon comes to mix its light with song.
 
 

Chinese   竹裏館 王維   獨坐幽篁裏 彈琴復長嘯 深林人不知 明月來相照

Pronunciation   Zhú Lǐ Guǎn Wáng Wéi   Dú zuò yōu huáng lǐ Dàn qín fù cháng xiào Shēn lín rén bù zhī Míng yuè lái xiāng zhào

 
 
Transliteration and Notes
 
Bamboo Interior Building
 
Alone sit secluded bamboo-grove interior
Play lute carry-out long hum
Deep woods man not know
Bright moon comes each-other shines
 
     “Not know” can be figurative for not admitting defeats, hardships, etc.
     In 756, Wang lived in the capital of Chang’an when it was captured by rebels during the An-Shi rebellion (755-763). Although most of the court and government officials had already fled, Wang was sick and unable to leave, so he was captured and taken to the rebel capital of Luoyang. He was then given an official title and considered part of the rebels.
     Once the Tang recaptured Luoyang, Wang was arrested and charged with being a traitor. Thanks to the intervention of his brother, Wang Jin, a powerful official and leader against the rebels, as well as poems written during captivity, he was pardoned and eventually restored to a government position.