Birds fly away from a thousand mountains, and people disappear along ten thousand paths.

Lonely boat Demoiselle, fishing alone in the cold river snow.

The source of this poem is River Snow, written by Liu Zongyuan.

Translation:

The birds in the mountains flew out of sight, and all the roads were empty of people.

An old man in a straw raincoat on a lonely boat on the river was fishing alone on the cold river.

Notes:

Extinct: None, no.

Ten Thousand Paths: an imaginary reference to ten million paths.

Man's trail: human footprints.

Lone: solitary.

Moosha: straw raincoat and bucket hat. Demoiselle: clothes used to protect against rain in ancient times; hat: hat used to protect against rain in ancient times, made of bamboo and gabion.

Solo: alone.

About the Author:

Liu Zongyuan (773-819), Zihou, was a native of Hedongxie (present-day Yuncheng, Shanxi Province), and was known as "Liu Hedong". In the ninth year of Zhengyuan (793), Liu Zongyuan received his bachelor's degree and was awarded the title of "Jixiantian Hall", transferred to Lantian, and was appointed as the supervisor of the Imperial Household. Because of his participation in the Wang Shuwen Group, he was relegated to the position of Secretary of Yongzhou after the failure of the "Yongzhen Innovation". Ten years later, he was moved to Liuzhou, also known as "Liu Liuzhou". He died of illness. Liu Zongyuan and Han Yu*** advocated the Ancient Wen movement, known as "Han Liu". His poems were also known as "Wei Liu" together with Wei Yingwu. Liu Hedong Collection.

Background:

The poem Jiangxue (River Snow) was written during the period of Liu Zongyuan's banishment to Yongzhou (805-815). In the first year of Yongzhen of Tang Shunzong (805), Liu Zongyuan took part in the Yongzhen Renovation Movement initiated by Wang Shuwen's group, and implemented political measures to suppress eunuchs internally, control the clans externally, and maintain the unity of the country. However, due to the opposition of the reactionary forces, the reform soon failed, Liu Zongyuan was relegated to Yongzhou Sima, exile for ten years, in fact, living under control, house arrest, "detention" life. The oppressive and dangerous environment did not crush him. When he was politically unfavorable, he expressed his values and ideals of life through poetry. This poem is one of his masterpieces.

Appreciation:

Jiangxue (River Snow) is a five-character stanza written by Liu Zongyuan, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, in Yongzhou. The whole poem has a unique conception, concise language and rich meaning.