— Wang Bo
Soughing, the cool breeze blows;
My wooded dell clean grows.
It drives smoke off the rill,
Rolls up mist over the hill,
Leaves no trace when we part,
And moves as if moved at heart.
When sunset calms the scene,
Hear the song of pines green.
Note
Wang Bo (650–676 CE) was one of the most brilliant literary talents of the early Tang Dynasty and a leading figure among the “Four Great Masters of the Early Tang.” Despite his short life – he died at only 26 – Wang Bo left a lasting legacy with his elegant, imaginative poetry that often blended natural observation with philosophical depth.
His poem “Ode to the Wind” (Yong Feng) is a rare example in classical Chinese poetry where the wind itself becomes the central subject – not as a destructive force, but as a noble, almost sentient presence. The poem opens with a crisp, refreshing breeze (“Soughing, the cool wind rises”), instantly purifying the mountains and valleys. The wind then acts with purpose: it clears smoke to reveal a hermit’s cottage by the stream, lifts mist from mountain eaves, and moves silently yet meaningfully – “coming and going without a trace, yet breathing as if with feeling.”
In the final lines, as sunset brings stillness to the landscape, the wind stirs once more – not for itself, but “for you,” rustling the pines in a gentle, personal gesture. This personification transforms the wind into a loyal companion, embodying grace, service, and quiet constancy.
Unlike many nature poems focused on human emotion, “Ode to the Wind” celebrates an invisible force with reverence and intimacy, showcasing Wang Bo’s lyrical ingenuity and sensitivity to the unseen rhythms of the world.
咏风
— 王勃
肃肃凉风生，
加我林壑清。
驱烟寻涧户，
卷雾出山楹。
去来固无迹，
动息如有情。
日落山水静，
为君起松声。
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