Straight from the Heavens: Li Bai's Poetry in Retrospect

Some may argue that Chinese poet Li Bai is beyondan aura of hope when the sky seems quite ominous
compare. With words that seem to fall straight fromand foreboding.Influenced by ancient Chinese
the heavens, he, perhaps like no other poet canprecepts that draw associations between entities
make us both feel the earth and touch the sky.Bornwith disparate qualities, the moon in conjunction with
during China's illustrious Tang Dynasty, Li Bai could inthe sun provides natural harmony in a world that
modern day terms be described as an eccentricmay, in the best of times, represent some sort of
outcast. A renowned member of the fringe ofideal cosmic design. Often portrayed as a feminine
Chinese society, his poetry would subsequently showimage, the moon is a celebrated icon that remains a
that as an extraordinary artist, he lived his life farfocal point for not only Chinese conceptions of time,
beyond the range of any ordinary humanit is an important symbol for many other important
experience.As a composer of a large body of worktraditions as well. Perhaps the most notable examples
that includes contemplations on the nature of humanof this symbol are the many images that occur during
existence, the natural unity of the cosmos and theChinese New Year celebrations. During these festive
sheer exaltation of the human spirit his writing, is notimes family ties are solidified and traditional ideas
doubt, characterized by a set of emotions that aremay be reinforced as well.A unique poetic visionWith
responsible for, none other than, some of the worlds'this in mind, it is quite fascinating to consider how this
most exquisite art.An intricate set ofancient symbol became such an important part of Li
emotionsDistinguished not only by picturesqueBai's poetry. And perhaps even more interesting to
landscapes, unique personalities and highly imaginativeconsider how it became a part of the inner workings
descriptions of the universe, his poetry oftenof his mind.In the classic poem "Alone Drinking under
contains an underlying conflict that contrasts histhe Moon" for example, the moon provides a light
natural tendency to revel in the grand glories ofthat shimmers across a dark forbidding sky. Below it
nature with profound feelings of both loneliness andhowever is the the pondering poet, highly immersed
despair.With striking heartfelt images, Li Bai combinesin his own deep reflection.Then as he begins to sip his
allusion, innuendo and sublime subtlety to create alegendary wine, he catches a glimpse of himself the
dark depressing underworld that appears to lie justmoon and his shadow. In a scene somewhat
below the surface of his conscious thought. Thesereminiscent of some sort of divine religious apparition,
images provide the texts with a texture andLi Bai appears to come to terms with both his
complexity that is rarely found in any other work.spiritual side, as well as the ironic aspects of his own
And at the same time they continue to intrigue anmaterial existence.In an assessment of his need for
impressive number of people who are captivated bywholeness, harmony and friendship, he writes, "While
the nature of his unwonted, unparalleled bliss.In "Alonestill not drunk...I am glad to make the moon and
Drinking under the Moon" for example, this fascinatingshadow into friends...but when I have drunk too much
dichotomy reaches a great climactic crescendo. In awe all part.Champion for human freedomTo say that
conflicted, debauched state of drunkenness, Li BaiLi Bai, a man whose thoughts often seem marked by
writes " I am alone...for the moon cannot drink...andsome sort of intense internal struggle, is a bit of an
my shadow goes emptily along with me...never sayingenigma, is certainly more than on the mark. Perhaps
a word.On loneliness and despairIn just a few shortno other poet was so effective in creating such
lines, Li Bai, a great master of mystic revelry hasdisparate emotion.Drawn by his conflicting thoughts,
created a unique poetic vision whereby we asreaders of Li Bai are often intrigued by a blend of
readers are encouraged to experience both hisdissonance that creates a very unique poetic vision.
abundant joy as well as his agonizing sorrow.In aAnd it is precisely this vision that has not only
drunken state of merriment we can quite literally feelattracted readers for many centuries. It has caused
the great waves of pleasure pulsating through histhem to examine the poet, his position and his
veins. Yet at the same time he encourages us toextraordinary way of experiencing the world.In an
yearn for something more.Caught in a cross-fireassessment of his extraordinary way of viewing the
between his own licentious behavior and a desire forworld, some may argue that it is the result of
spiritual transcendence, he describes a condition thatunconscious efforts to repress unwanted painful
few of us may ever really come to know.Highlythoughts. Others may argue that the poet's art is
engrossed in the natural spirit of his own materialmerely the result of his failure to adjust to the
existence, Li Bai can make us quiver with unequivocalmundane realities of an unhappy unfulfilled life.When
bliss. Yet far removed from a prolonged state ofconsidering the nature and significance of Li Bai's
euphoria, he is deeply entrenched in an emptypoetry it may be helpful to acknowledge that while
bottomless pit.In this classic poem Li Baihis writing often includes considerable fantasy, it is
writes...Amongst the flowers I am alone with my potindeed true that beneath his words lies an artist with
of wine drinking by myself;acute sensitivities to the nature of his everyday
then lifting my cup I asked the moon to drink withexperiences. And it is with these acute sensitivities
me,that he has created a transcendent reality that is
its reflection and mine in the wine cup, just thebased upon the sanctity of his own material
three of us;existence.Certainly a courageous poet and a bit of a
then I sigh for the moon cannot drink,political maverick as well, Li Bai's poetry often
and my shadow goes emptily along with me neverchallenges various Chinese art forms that may be
saying a word;bound by the authoritarian roots of its' longstanding
with no other friends here, I can but use these twoConfucian traditions. But like a modern-day rebel, he
for company;has forged his way into the annals of Chinese history
in this time of happiness, I too must be happy withby creating unparalleled poetry with a style and
all around me;personality that is not only phenomenal, it is wild and
then if I dance it is my shadow that dances alongwonderful as well.Great romantic spiritFor those who
with me, while still not drunk,are eager to delve into the depths of Li Bai's poetry
I am glad to make the moon and shadow intosuch an endeavor will surely prove to be quite an
friends,adventurous trip. Embedded in his art is the soul of a
but then when I have drunk too much we all part.lively free spirit with a writing style that seems to
Yet these are friends I can count on,leap straight from the page.Undoubtedly the product
these who have no emotion whatsoever;of a highly independent mind, Li Bai has taught us
I hope that one day we three will meet again, deepthat while the parameters of human freedom may at
in the milky way.A natural state of elationTo providetimes seem to be quite limited, creative alternatives
some perspective upon a mind that was often in aare always available to those who place great faith in
natural state of elation while it created poetry with athe natural spirit of their own physical
melancholic form of discontent, it is important tosensations.Admittedly a romantic point of view, which
realize that Li Bai was no ordinary person.Like a trueemphasizes the freedom of self expression, he has
Taoist priest he chose to concern himself with thewritten in a style that is among the most captivating
natural beauty of the vast Chinese countryside.the world has ever known.The unique elements
Away from the city and all that it represents, Li Baiwithin his texts include fascinating descriptions of the
created a personal philosophy that bordered uponrelationship between his internal and external world,
religious fervor. And at the core of this philosophyas well as a true celebration of the great nobility of
was a profound appreciation for the natural worldthe common man. With a predilection for melancholy,
and all of the magical qualities that it seemed toand a profound interest in the remote, these stylistic
possess.Purportedly born upon the steppe in nearbyfeatures intensify the emotional content that is an
Central Asia, Li Bai's family fled China to escapeessential part of the meaning of the poet's words.It
political persecution at the hands of Li Yun, the firstis for these reasons, and many others, that we, who
emperor of the legendary Tang dynasty.Uponappreciate the great significance of Li Bai's work, will
resettling in Sichuan province years later, he begancontinue to stand and applaud as it continues to send
traveling the countryside producing a tremendousgreat ripples across our minds.An uncommon
body of poetry. Tragically however, after living quitecharacterYet it is not only Li Bai's words that seem
an exciting and adventurous life, he died as a resultto have such a dramatic affect upon his readers, it is
of the effects ofthe unique character of his personality that always
chronic long term alcoholism. Folk stories even claimseems to shine right through. Biographers may argue
that in a highly demented state he drownedthat Li Bai's life upon the steppe may have shaped
attempting to scoop the moon from the Yangtzehis burgeoning personality. Others may emphasize
river.On rapture and revelryWhile it would be easy topolitical factors, namely his family's persecution at the
consider Li Bai's death a great calamity, his enormoushands of Li Yun, the Tang dynasty's first emperor.In
talent and lasting legacy may certainly serve as someany event, to the extent that Li Bai's poetry
compensation for an untimely, and arguably, anprovides insight into the true nature of his personality,
unnecessary death. Often described as a greatwe find recurrent themes that color his most famous
romantic poet, his style precedes the classic writerswork. Among the most interesting of these themes
of th English genre by approximately one thousandis a passionate desire to achieve harmony in the
years. And like other romantic poets that includeform of warm comforting relationships. These
Blake, Byron, Wordsworth, Coleridge and Keats, Lirelationships, sometimes sensual in nature, may at
Bai's work is characterized by an independent spirittimes, even include erotic overtones that stimulate
that defies convention and expands the limits ofthe mind, adding strength, vitality and clarity to each
human freedom.Clearly influenced by Taoistof his legendary scenes.Other images are quite
conceptions of the universe as well as the flourishingabstract. Yet dripping with colorful hues and bright
art and culture of the highly celebrated Tangwith fervid imagery, he can really reel you in. ---- Just
dynasty, Li Bai immersed himself in the spectacularthink of the gleaming moon.It resonates above us
scenery that surrounded him. Known for hisglowing in its perfect round symmetrical shape.
unrestrained emotional style, his greatest attributeConsidered an object of beauty, stimulating ire joy
may have been his extraordinary ability toand misery, he has created imagery that appeals to
accentuate the natural beauty in his own nativeboth our sense of aesthetics as well as our most
environment. In an era that preceded thebase primal impulses.Sipping deep red wine from a
development of modern technologies by centuries, Lishining silver chalice, one can really begin to consider
Bai created lasting images so striking and colorful histhe joyful pleasure and endless possibilities that may
place in Chinese art and culture can never bebe available to both woman and man.The destiny and
denied.So we must ask ourselves how did thisorigin of a poet and his poetryAnd like other divine
legendary figure become such a creative force? Howwork, we hope that much of Li Bai's poetry will arrive
did he come to write such celebrated words? Andat its final destination, an unknown amorphous
how did he develop into such an outstandingheaven.For we, the chosen recipients of his illustrious
talent?"Alone Drinking under the Moon", one of hiswords are truly grateful for his divine gifts and all that
most famous works certainly provides us with somethey have now come to represent.And as great
important clues.Reflections from a dark moonlitadmirers of his poetry, we can only hope that more
skyWith images that often linger deep within theof us will begin to enjoy the profound meaning of his
human mind, Li Bai has introduced many importantinspiration, as well as his heavenly heartfelt words.To
aspects of traditional Chinese culture within this fabledappreciate this poet, is to appreciate both Li Bai and
poem. The moon for example, in stark contrast tothe world. And at the risk of sounding quite callow, or
frequent representations in western literary traditionsperhaps even a bit naive---we must surely ask, is
is often a symbol of hope, not an image of gloomthere any real reason to believe that anything, could
and doom.In Chinese culture, and in particular inpossibly, begin to mean much more?For Li Bai like no
numerous images in Li Bai's work, the moon providesother can make us both feel the earth and touch the
light in the midst of darkness. In other Chinesesky.Gerald Marchewka is an American free lance
literary representations it has been known to providewriter currently living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.