Written on the Wall at Xilin Temple
From the front a ridge; from the side, a peak;
Far or near, high or low, each view is different.
Why can I not see Mount Lu as a whole?
Because I am standing here within the mountain.
Notes
Tí means to write or inscribe; Xilin Temple is on Mount Lu in Jiangxi. A ridge is a line of mountains, while a peak is a summit. The poem contrasts views from different positions. Zhǐ yuán means “simply because.”
Meaning
Mount Lu appears as ridges or peaks depending on where one looks. The view changes with distance and height; standing inside the mountain makes it hard to see the whole.
Appreciation
The poem follows a changing view of Mount Lu: a single mountain looks different as the observer moves.
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Its first two lines alternate between front and side, near and far, high and low. Rather than fixing one picture, they invite the reader to move with the viewpoint.
The closing thought grows from that experience. Someone standing within the mountain can see a part of it, but may find it difficult to see the whole at once.
To explore the idea with a child, look at a toy from the front, side and above. Each view shows something real, while revealing a different part.
About the poet
Su Shi (1037–1101), also known as Su Dongpo, was a Song-dynasty writer and official from Meishan in present-day Sichuan. He wrote poetry, prose and ci lyrics, and was also known for calligraphy and painting.
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Life: Su Shi came from Meishan and served in several regions; his career also included periods of exile. His father Su Xun and brother Su Zhe were writers too.
Works: His writing includes poems, ci lyrics and prose, among them Written on the Wall at Xilin Temple and the Red Cliff fu.
Sources
Poem and reading reference: Shicile · Poet biography reference · poems-db
Translation and explanations by Poetry Buds; review ongoing.