Autumn Evening in the Mountains
After fresh rain in the quiet mountains,
The evening air carries the coolness of autumn.
Bright moonlight shines among the pines;
Clear spring water runs over the stones.
Voices in the bamboo mark the washerwomen returning;
Lotus leaves stir as a fishing boat drifts down.
Let the flowers of spring fade as they will;
Here a wanderer may choose to stay.
Notes
Ming means evening. “Empty mountains” suggests quiet rather than a literal absence of people. Washerwomen return through bamboo; the boat moves downstream. The final couplet adapts an earlier invitation for a wanderer to return.
Meaning
After rain, moonlight and spring water frame a living mountain scene. The speaker chooses to stay despite the passing of spring.
Appreciation
The title locates the poem in the mountains on an autumn evening; rain and cool air establish its atmosphere.
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Moonlight among pines and water over stones bring light, movement and sound into the scene.
Bamboo sounds and moving lotus leaves reveal returning washerwomen and a boat. Human activity gives the quiet landscape life.
The closing adapts an older invitation to return, choosing instead to remain in the autumn landscape.
About the poet
Wang Wei (c. 701–761), courtesy name Mojie, was a Tang poet, painter and official. His poems often describe landscapes, everyday life and friendship.
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Life: Wang held official posts and also spent time at Wangchuan, a place closely associated with his landscape poetry.
Works: His poems include Deer Enclosure, Birdsong Ravine and Thinking of My Brothers on the Ninth Day.