Mid-range Analysis
This poem, written in free-form, was originally composed in Japanese by poet Hsieh Ling-yun. A lyric poem, it highlights his search for inner peace and tranquility within nature. He is able to find joy in the simplicity of the river, seeing its true importance. In addition, Hsieh Ling-yun employs a variety of sensory details in order to establish a strong spatial setting for the poem, as well as uncomplicated syntax that embodies the poem’s overall theme of simplicity.
The sensory details of this poem, particularly concerning nature, are the foundation for the contrasts between worldly chaos and nature’s simplicity. Ling-yun describes the simple life of the animals through sounds and imagery when he writes, “Finches call and answer in the oaks./Deer cry out, then return to munching weeds” (Lines 9-10). This creates a very strong special setting in which the reader is transported to a lush forest full of calling animals and creatures. This simple environment is very different than the outside world where “Joy and sorrow pass, each by each, failure at one moment, happy success the next” (Lines 13-14). Nature is a place where very little changes or is disrupted, unlike the outside world where happiness and success are in constant flux.As he gazes at the stream, he describes its color as “kingfisher blue” (Line 5), giving the reader a vivid image of this cerulean stream using creative imagery. However, he also demonstrates the joy and importance he can find within this simple stream. He imagines a fisherman sitting by the stream which he describes as “reminding me of the fisherman's simple life” (Line 6). The fisherman is looking for a catch, his entire livelihood dependent on this simple body of water. Despite the lack of complexity hidden in the water, the stream is a critical part of many lives. The poet is able to see the importance behind everything in nature and find joy in these everyday objects.
Furthermore, Ling-yun’s uncomplicated syntax and sentence structure greatly impacts the feeling of simplicity that the poem embodies. He uses precise language to convey his environment and avoids flowery, overly-complex language. The last stanza of his poem is comprised of three simple sentences: “But not for me. I have chosen freedom from the world's cares. I chose simplicity” (Line 15-16). This intentional use of straightforward language and syntax strengthens the portrayal of the poet’s simple life. He has chosen simplicity both in his life and his writing, a powerful combination in this poem.
-Robert Chun
Picture Source
The sensory details of this poem, particularly concerning nature, are the foundation for the contrasts between worldly chaos and nature’s simplicity. Ling-yun describes the simple life of the animals through sounds and imagery when he writes, “Finches call and answer in the oaks./Deer cry out, then return to munching weeds” (Lines 9-10). This creates a very strong special setting in which the reader is transported to a lush forest full of calling animals and creatures. This simple environment is very different than the outside world where “Joy and sorrow pass, each by each, failure at one moment, happy success the next” (Lines 13-14). Nature is a place where very little changes or is disrupted, unlike the outside world where happiness and success are in constant flux.As he gazes at the stream, he describes its color as “kingfisher blue” (Line 5), giving the reader a vivid image of this cerulean stream using creative imagery. However, he also demonstrates the joy and importance he can find within this simple stream. He imagines a fisherman sitting by the stream which he describes as “reminding me of the fisherman's simple life” (Line 6). The fisherman is looking for a catch, his entire livelihood dependent on this simple body of water. Despite the lack of complexity hidden in the water, the stream is a critical part of many lives. The poet is able to see the importance behind everything in nature and find joy in these everyday objects.
Furthermore, Ling-yun’s uncomplicated syntax and sentence structure greatly impacts the feeling of simplicity that the poem embodies. He uses precise language to convey his environment and avoids flowery, overly-complex language. The last stanza of his poem is comprised of three simple sentences: “But not for me. I have chosen freedom from the world's cares. I chose simplicity” (Line 15-16). This intentional use of straightforward language and syntax strengthens the portrayal of the poet’s simple life. He has chosen simplicity both in his life and his writing, a powerful combination in this poem.
-Robert Chun
Picture Source
