Top 10 Best Poems by Poet Lý Bạch

The poem Tranquil Night Quadrant – Reflections in the serene night is one of the famous works by poet Lý Bạch. The poem reflects the love and deep nostalgia for one's homeland when living far away. It captures the scene of a quiet moonlit night:

Tranquil Night Quadrant

'Moonlight spills over the front of the bed,

Mist appears on the earthly surface.

I raise my head to gaze at the bright moon,

Bowing my head, I yearn for the hometown I left behind.'

Translation:

At the head of the bed, moonlight shines,

Mist seems to cover the ground.

I lift my head, beholding the bright moon,

Bowing my head, homesickness fills my heart for the old hometown.

Poetic rendition:

Moonlight spills across the bed,

Mist cloaks the earthly spread.

Head lifted to the radiant moon,

Bowing low, I miss my hometown soon.

Moonlit Night Chronicles at Thôi Garden, Outside Tông Chi Palace

'Gently the river breeze stirs,

Rippling waves embrace the shore.

Ascending, melodies of beauty,

Floating, disdainful of the common.

Moon shifts behind the painted hills,

Water merges with the celestial flow.

Astonishing as stars in the Milky Way,

Senses wander in the vast forest.

On the winding road, endless travels,

Constantly passing through the boundless expanse.

Herbs of various colors embellish the landscape,

Fate lingers in melancholy yearning.

Riverside melodies echo in the outpost,

Descending dusk heralds distant lands.

Longing for the army, beyond sight,

Perpetually lost in the cup of parting.'

Lý Bạch, a carefree soul, cared little for worldly affairs, indulging in a lifestyle of freedom. His poetry, distinct from his contemporaries, often revolves around a trio: the moon, wine, and poetry, considered his bosom companions. The poem 'Moonlit Poisonous Charms Part 1' is a shining example. The moon, poetry, and wine collectively elevate the spirit of Lý Bạch's verses.

Moonlit Poisonous Charms Part 1

'Drinking alone,

Amidst the most beautiful flowers,

Poisonous charms, a body without equal.

Applying rouge, adoring the bright moon,

Facing the mirror, becoming three persons.

Moon's signature is unreadable,

Image, freely following my body.

Temporarily making friends with the moon and the shadow,

Enjoying happiness, catching up with spring.

I sing, the moon seems hesitant to leave,

I dance, the shadow whirls in confusion.

Awake, we revel together,

After drunkenness, each goes their separate ways.

Eternally bound by this indifferent companionship,

Together we vow to meet beyond the Milky Way.'

Translation:

In the midst of flowers, with a wine jar in hand,

Drinking alone, no companion in sight.

Raising the cup, I invite the moon to join me,

Then turn to my shadow, which makes three of us.

Because the moon does not know how to drink,

My shadow merely follows the movement of my body.

The practice of mirth should keep pace with spring,

Yet attain tranquility before autumn moon.

I start a song and the moon begins to reel,

I rise and dance and the shadow moves grotesquely.

While I'm still conscious, let's rejoice with one another,

After I'm drunk, let each one go his way.

Let us bind ourselves forever for passionless journeyings.

Let us swear to meet again far in the Milky Way.'

Moonlit Wine and Moonlight Inquiry

'In the clear sky, the moon visits from age to age,
My golden goblet asking, why hesitate, moon?
Humans cannot grasp the moon's beauty,
But the moon's movements depend on human whims.
It's like a flawless jade with a missing piece,
Hexagrams destroyed, revealing the pure glow.
Listening to celestial orders from the sea above,
Understanding the direction in the vast worldly expanse.
White rabbits mix elixirs to tame the spring,
Often reclining, with a young lady by their side.
Neither a sage witnessing ancient moonlight,
Nor the moon illuminating ancient sages.
Ancient sages and sages are like flowing water,
Together they admire the bright moon.
Wishing to face the cup and inquire of the moon,
The moon's radiance consistently honors the essence.'

Translation:
'Has the moon graced the blue sky for how long now?
Now I pause my cup and ask the moon here!
Common folks can't fathom the moon's brilliance,
Yet the moon follows their every move.
Its brilliance is like a flawless mirror reflecting the door,
Smoke disperses, unveiling a pure radiance.
Only seen at night, the moon travels from the sea,
At dawn, it vanishes amidst the clouds.
A white rabbit concocts elixirs as spring surrenders,
Often lounging with a charming lady.
No longer seeing the moonlight of ancient sages,
The moon now reveals itself in their eyes.
As water flows, ancient sages and common folks mingle,
Together, they gaze upon the bright moon.
Desiring to address the cup and question the moon,
The moon's glow consistently honors the truth.'

Toasting Encounter

'Peach blossom wine,

Golden horses,

Ngô maiden, fifteen years, a grand sight.

Melodious tunes, rosy lips,

Her dao chants, not adhering to the norms.

The feast lingers, she suddenly gets tipsy,

Graceful beauty, leaving an impression on the military.'

Translation:

Peach blossom wine sipped from golden cups,

A Ngô maiden, fifteen, a majestic scene.

With melodious tunes and rosy lips,

Her unorthodox dao resounds in praise.

The feast continues, she becomes tipsy,

Her graceful charm impresses the military.'

This is a poem celebrating the beauty of Dương Quý Phi, a woman of grace and elegance favored by Emperor Đường Minh Hoàng Lý Long Cơ. Her beauty became a muse for Lý Bạch's poetic expression.

Serene Melody Part 1

'Clouds resemble her attire, flowers reflect her grace,
Spring breeze gently carries the fragrance, blossoms in full embrace.
A delicate princess in the Quần Ngọc mountains, a vision so divine,
Towards Dao Đài, under the moon, her radiance does shine.'

Translation:
'Seeing clouds, reminiscent of her gown, flowers evoke her face,
Spring breeze whispers, petals in tender grace.
Whether in the Quần Ngọc hills or by Dao Đài so fair,
Her presence is felt, like moonlight's gentle air.'

On the 9th of September, Trùng Dương festival graces China. People tie Thudu leaves within, ascend high, to sip chrysanthemum wine together. They believe such actions beckon good fortune. Even on the following day, the 10th of September, some continue this practice. The author, through this verse, conveys their sentiments.

Ninth Lunar Month, Tenth Day, Symbolic Observances

'Yesterday, towards the heights, we did climb,
With chrysanthemum wine, we marked the time.
Why must the chrysanthemum endure such trials?
Twice, we celebrate Trùng Dương with joyous smiles.'

Translation:
'Yesterday, to heights we raised chrysanthemum wine,
Today, lifting the cup once more, we find.
Why must the chrysanthemum endure such hardship?
For the second time, we celebrate Trùng Dương with pride.'