Tang Dynasty
Song of the Moon over Mount Emei
Li Bai
峨眉山月半轮秋，影入平羌江水流。
夜发清溪向三峡，思君不见下渝州。
Translation
Over Mount Emei, an autumn half-moon hangs. Its reflection enters the waters of the Pingqiang River and flows away. At night I leave Qingxi, heading toward the Three Gorges. Thinking of you, yet unable to see you, I drift downstream toward Yuzhou.
Analysis
“Song of the Moon over Mount Emei” is one of Li Bai’s early travel poems, written as he left the Shu region and traveled east by boat. In just four lines, it brings together moonlight, river current, night travel, and longing. The first line presents the moon over Mount Emei. This is not just any moon. Mount Emei is one of the defining landscapes of Shu, so the moon carries the feeling of home and departure. The autumn half-moon is clear, cool, and slightly melancholy. The second line connects moonlight with motion. The moon remains in the sky, but its reflection enters the Pingqiang River and flows with the water. This is a beautiful transformation: the moon of home seems to accompany the traveler downriver. The third line gives the route. The speaker leaves Qingxi at night and heads toward the Three Gorges. The poem’s place names create a strong sense of movement: Emei, Pingqiang, Qingxi, Three Gorges, Yuzhou. The journey unfolds naturally through geography. The final line introduces longing. The “you” may be a friend, or more broadly someone dear left behind. The traveler thinks of this person but cannot see them. The boat continues downstream, carrying him farther away. The poem’s power lies in flow. Moonlight flows in water, the boat flows through night, place names flow one after another, and feeling flows into distance. Li Bai does not overstate sorrow. He lets the river and moon carry it.
About the Author
Li Bai, courtesy name Taibai and literary name Qinglian Jushi, was one of the greatest poets of the Tang dynasty and is often called the “Poet Immortal.” He spent his youth in the Shu region before leaving home to travel widely. His poetry is known for bold imagination, natural fluency, romantic freedom, and emotional directness. He wrote on landscapes, Daoist transcendence, wine, friendship, parting, history, and personal aspiration. Representative works include “Bring in the Wine,” “The Road to Shu Is Hard,” “Quiet Night Thoughts,” “Setting Out Early from Baidi City,” and “Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lu.” “Song of the Moon over Mount Emei” shows the clear, lyrical travel feeling of his early poetry.