Midnight Wu Song: Summer
Mirror Lake stretches for three hundred li;
Lotus blossoms open from their buds.
In the fifth month Xishi gathers them;
Onlookers crowd the Ruoye stream.
Turning her boat, she does not wait for the moon,
And goes away to the household of the Yue king.
Notes
Mirror Lake is associated with present-day Shaoxing. Lotus buds open; Xishi is a figure associated with the ancient state of Yue. The stream becomes crowded with onlookers. “Moon” can also be read as a month; interpretations differ.
Meaning
Lotuses open on Mirror Lake as Xishi gathers them and draws a crowd, before leaving by boat for the Yue king’s household.
Appreciation
Lake and lotus establish a broad summer waterscape.
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Xishi’s gathering draws a crowd, made vivid by the narrowing of the stream.
The poem turns from the crowd to departure without recounting the rest of her story.
The phrase about the moon also admits a reading as less than a month.
About the poet
Li Bai (c. 701–762), courtesy name Taibai, was a Tang poet whose travels inspired many poems about landscapes, friendship and journeys.
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Life: Li Bai grew up in the Shu region and traveled widely. He was summoned to serve at the Tang court before continuing his journeys.
Works: His poems include Thoughts on a Quiet Night, Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lu and To Wang Lun.