A Lonely Tumbleweed Travels Ten Thousand Li

In a touching poem, Li Bai writes,beyond debate, the nature of the poemand its relation
As the green hills are above the northern wall,to the poets' mind is much less clear.
White water billows east of the city.On the surface it would seem the poem is a simple
And from this spot, in a single act, we both part.description of two friends who have just parted.
And as a lonely tumbleweed now travels ten thousandBut like much of Li Bai's work, simple words create
li,drifting clouds echo a travelers thoughts.ample room for varied interpretations.
The setting sun has begun to reflect my old friendsIn a scene that may conjure the rough rugged textures
feelings.of the central plains, a lonely traveler may roam like a
And as he departs he waves his hand,and his horsetumbleweed, as the mind drifts like the clouds up
cries out as he leaves.above.
Sometimes the right words are hard to findYet the nature of the sun is much more confounding.
In "Farewell My Friend", another poem that strikes aCertainly a beautiful scene, sunsets have captured the
solemn tone,human imagination for eons.
Li Bai has once again created beautiful images thatThe significance of the sun within this poem is
may leave a lasting impressionupon any open mind.however, much less certain.
In a poem that calls to mind a single solitary travelerJust what do these friends feel upon parting?
departing into the sunset,a lonely tumbleweed travels,Does the impending darkness symbolize a friendship
and drifting clouds echo the travelers thoughts.that has come to an end?
This set of images has created an impression soOr is the sun a reflection of enchanting thoughts that
beautiful, it seems to take on anextraordinarywill last for an eternity?
dreamlike quality.*** A mystic and a poet, Li Bai considers the nature of
And while the quality of the imagery is perhapshuman existence in both space and time.