朝辞白帝彩云间
At dawn I leave Baidi among colored clouds;
千里江陵一日还
A thousand li to Jiangling, returning in one day.
两岸猿声啼不住
Ape cries on both banks have not yet ceased,
轻舟已过万重山
When the light boat has passed countless mountains.
What the poem means
Leaving Baidi amid morning clouds, the boat travels swiftly downstream toward Jiangling. Ape calls still echo as it passes mountain after mountain. The poem feels light and free.
Meet the poet
Li Bai was a Tang poet known for vivid imagination and poems about nature, friendship and longing.
Li Bai · More poems →