Li bai thoughts on a still night. Chinese Poems! 靜夜思 “Quiet Night Thoughts” by Li Bai (李白) 2022-11-17

Li Bai, also known as Li Po or Li Bo, was a Chinese poet during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) who is revered as one of the greatest poets in Chinese literature. His poetry is known for its deep emotional intensity and vivid imagery, and his thoughts on a still night are no exception.

In his poem "Thinking of the Military Advisors on a Still Night," Li Bai reflects on the loneliness and isolation he feels as he contemplates the state of the world. He writes, "The world's affairs are in disarray / And the nation's armies are scattered / I sit alone on a still night / Thinking of military advisors." The military advisors represent the leaders and strategists who are responsible for guiding the nation through difficult times, and Li Bai's thoughts turn to them as he contemplates the chaos and uncertainty of the world around him.

Despite his feelings of loneliness and isolation, Li Bai finds solace in the quiet of the night and the natural world around him. He writes, "The bright moon rises / And the river flows on / My door is shut / But the mountain is open." The moon and the river represent timeless and eternal forces, and their presence serves as a reminder that the world will continue to turn even in the midst of turmoil and strife.

In this poem, Li Bai captures the sense of longing and melancholy that often accompanies contemplation on a still night. He grapples with the weight of the world's problems and the sense of isolation that can come from being a witness to them, but he ultimately finds comfort in the beauty and serenity of the natural world. Li Bai's thoughts on a still night offer a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and the possibility of finding peace and solace in the simple pleasures of nature.