I think it asks the question whether there truly are hiding men? It’s ironic in the latter that without realizing suddenly he’s at Pang Gong’s hiding place. In seeking to be 幽人, he also is following in the footsteps of another. One is social — the crowd following each other but the other is… following nature? Then again my Classical Chinese is nonexistent so let me know if I’ve butchered it.
That's an interesting interpretation. In medieval Chinese literature, we rarely see someone doubting the notion of 幽人 or 隱者. Maybe Meng Haoran is indeed going for something deeper.
sometimes one goes somewhere on purpose, but the road is dreamlike(or nighmare -like)..or he thinks of something else, or the mind goes blank, or in his thoughts he's in another place entirely-or....
and then when he arrives, he's overtaken by surprize he's there. "suddenly"
Love today’s poem! So dreamlike like in a state of stilled meditation - leaves fallen out of nowhere like in a midst of 毛雨.
I've never heard the term 毛雨 before, but it makes sense right away! I will definitely remember it from now on.
Great 😌 We call it 下毛毛雨in Malaysia for soft rains that persists continuously, generally gentle but persistent.
I think it asks the question whether there truly are hiding men? It’s ironic in the latter that without realizing suddenly he’s at Pang Gong’s hiding place. In seeking to be 幽人, he also is following in the footsteps of another. One is social — the crowd following each other but the other is… following nature? Then again my Classical Chinese is nonexistent so let me know if I’ve butchered it.
That's an interesting interpretation. In medieval Chinese literature, we rarely see someone doubting the notion of 幽人 or 隱者. Maybe Meng Haoran is indeed going for something deeper.
sometimes one goes somewhere on purpose, but the road is dreamlike(or nighmare -like)..or he thinks of something else, or the mind goes blank, or in his thoughts he's in another place entirely-or....
and then when he arrives, he's overtaken by surprize he's there. "suddenly"
I loved the poem. Thank you
Thanks! Indeed, there is a sense of facing something unexpected. Maybe the poem is touching more on the subconscious than something intentional.