Chanting by the River at Dusk [Tang Poems]

— Bai Juyi

The departing sunbeams pave a way on the river;

Half of its waves turn red and the other half shiver.

How I love the third night of the ninth moon aglow!

The dewdrops look like pearls, the crescent like a bow.

Note

Bai Juyi (772–846 CE) was a prominent realist poet of the Tang Dynasty, renowned for his accessible and relatable style. He was a leading figure in the New Yuefu Movement, advocating that poetry should reflect social realities and current events. His extensive body of work, including famous pieces like “Song of Everlasting Sorrow” and “The Song of the Pipa,” has had a profound influence on Chinese literature.

“Song of the River at Dusk” (Chanting by the River at Dusk) is a celebrated quatrain written by Bai Juyi. It paints a vivid picture of a riverside scene at twilight. The poem masterfully captures the transition from sunset to moonrise, describing how the river reflects the sunset in a blend of red and deep green, and later, how the night is graced by a crescent moon and dewdrops resembling pearls. This piece reflects the poet’s delight and tranquility as he immersed himself in nature.

暮江吟
— 白居易

一道残阳铺水中，

半江瑟瑟半江红。

可怜九月初三夜，

露似真珠月似弓。