Perhaps there is nothing, ... like a gleaming Moon on a dark Night,
in the ordinary life of a great romantic poet.
In Thoughts on a Still Night, Li Bai the renowned Tang Dynasty poet, once again, captures a magic moment on a single Night during his legendary life upon the road.
In a dreamy description of the Moon, the heavens, and all that may exist far beyond the furthest cloud, he writes,
Before my bed the Moon is shining bright,
I think that there is frost upon the ground,
I raise my head and think of the bright Moon,
Then I lower my head and think of home.
A magic moment in time
In another brilliant poem, Li Bai describes two conflicting forces that would appear to color the conflicting thoughts that exist within much of his Poetry.
As he gazes t oward the Moon he experiences an insatiable search for the excitement and adventure of the vast unknown.
But at the same time, he experiences an underlying desire for the comfort and stability of home.
And like other conflicts that may be deeply rooted within his Poetry, his remarkable dilemma is marked by a compelling need to transcend the limits of his own earthly existence. Yet he also experiences an equally compelling need to quell any disconcerting thoughts that would impinge upon the quality of his daily life here on earth.
Like feint voices that whisper in the wind, these disconcerting thoughts are an unsettling reminder of the cold realities that he will surely encounter in his ventures into the great unknown.
Separating myth from reality
As we reflect upon the poets' thoughts and their relation to his work, it is interesting to note that many of his legendary jaunts across the vast Chinese countryside occurred in response to two seeming ly irreconcilable forces.
Li Bai traveled not only for poetic inspiration, he also sought the patronage of powerful individuals in the prestigious Tang Dynasty court.
But unlike other young men who attempted to secure patronage with severe self deprecating remarks, Li Bai's letters revealed grandeur posturing, narcissistic tendencies and a very pronounced flair for melodrama.
These letters, written to powerful members of the court, revealed personality traits that were also prevalent in much of his Poetry as well.
Poetry and politics
As we consider the significance of these unique personality traits and their impact upon his initial ascent to power, we find that just a few years after he was appointed to the prestigious Tang Dynasty court, he left his position.
In reference to this important event, historical archives indicate that in 742 A.D., at the age of forty two, Li Bai was introduced to Emperor Xuanzong.
Emperor Xuanzong, impressed by the poets' considerable literary talents appointed Li Bai to the Hanlin Academy. Founded in the eighth century during the Song Dynasty, the prestigious institute provided secretarial services, Poetry, literature and other forms of writing for members of the imperial court.
The details surrounding Li Bai's departure from the prestigious institute are however less certain. Some reports indicate a dismissal for some unknown discretion. Other reports indicate a voluntary departure to fulfill the poets' ongoing need for excitement and adventure.
The meaning and significance of home
A thorough assessment of Li Bai's travels, a topic of extensive research, has however, yet to be discussed in full. And while an abundance of stories on various topics do exist, they often focus upon the poets' personal character, portraying him as a free spirited, hard drinking man often at the center of considerable controversy.
And while most reports have endeared him to the general public, some of Li Bai's less desirable traits have on occasion, even received some attention as well.
Considering his outspoken character, disdain for convention, and unbridled imagination, it would be hard not to imagine acerbic critics disparaging his work.
Yet as the interpretation of Poetry in China, and the arts in general, were subject to the dictates of socialist realism throughout much of the 20th century, interpretations of Li Bai's work were often nonexistent.
It is also interesting to note that on at least one occasion, Li Bai was described as a great friend of the people, while Du Fu his counterpart, quite surprisingly, a lowly outcast.
The unique insights of a seasoned traveler
From a contemporary perspective, the extent to which Li Bai's work is influenced by the artists unique poetic hyperbole, or the obscure and arcane Taoist imagery of his day, is an issue that deserves careful attention.
The fact remains however, Li Bai's references to heaven are connected to his own unique perceptions about himself, his position and his place.
When Li Bai expresses his need to venture far beyond the confines of the earth, he is in reality, demanding full recognition of his proper place in heaven.
And as he uses his supreme talent to create wings to fly to the heavens, he gratifies a soul for which human desire seems to have no end.
A lesson in Chinese history
As we consider the significance of Li Ba's Poetry, in some respects, it is possible to argue that he like other highly gifted poets of his generation, was greatly influenced by the h istorical and social developments of his day.
During the High Tang Dynasty period for example, as medieval Europe was adjusting to the great fall of the Roman Empire, Chinese civilization was experiencing a tremendous renaissance.
And at the time of Li Bai's travels, Poetry was a major cultural activity for many of the nations' governing elite. By the end of the era more than fifty thousand poems were produced, written by more than two thousand three hundred poets.
Among the most famous poets of this era are Gao Shi, who wrote about the wretched condition of China's poor, and Meng Horan, who focused upon the natural beauty of China's landscapes.
Of these High Tang Dynasty poets, Du Fu, a personal friend of Li Bai, was also considered one of the great Chinese poets. Du Fu's style was however, quite different from his occasional travel partner Li Bai.
Steeped in the philosophical precepts of the Confucian classics, Du Fu could be described as a humanist. His greatest attributes were perhaps, his attention to historical detail and his pronounced hostility to war.
Yet both of these poets, Li Bai and Du Fu, have left an indelible mark on Chinese culture and the manner in which Chinese Poetry is construed. It is also interesting to consider that some people have suggested that Du Fu may have been a follower of Nestorian Christianity, an ancient sect that argued that the human and divine aspects of Jesus Christ were separate rather than unified.
Gerald Marchewka is an American freelance writer currenly residing in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Gerald Marchewka may be contacted at geraldma rchewka@yahoo.com
Author:: Gerald Marchewka
Keywords:: Poetry, China, Li Bai, Taoism, Confucianism, Philosophy, Ying Yang, Mongolia, Moon, Night,
Tang,
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