千万里,千万里,我追寻着你,追寻人生意义,千山鸟飞绝,万经人踪灭,都留下我的足迹。
In this poem, Liu Zongyuan expresses a profound existential quest, capturing the essence of searching for meaning in life and the universe. The opening lines, "千万里,千万里,我追寻着你," convey an intense longing, suggesting a journey that spans vast distances, both physically and metaphorically. The imagery of desolation in "千山鸟飞绝,万经人踪灭" evokes a sense of isolation and the absence of life, emphasizing the poet's solitude in his search for significance.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the passage of time with the lines, "多少年,多少年,我追寻着你," indicating that this quest has been ongoing for many years. The exploration of cosmic mysteries, from the heights of the heavens to the depths of the underworld, illustrates a comprehensive search for understanding, where every experience is a memory that shapes the self.
The emotional tone shifts as the speaker contemplates identity in the lines, "无数次,无数次问自己,到底是谁," suggesting a deep introspection. The connection between the self and the universe is made explicit, as the speaker realizes that the elements of nature are intertwined with his own existence.
The poem employs literary devices such as repetition, which underscores the relentless nature of the search, and vivid imagery that paints a stark contrast between the vastness of the universe and the speaker's internal struggles. The concluding lines, "我就是你,你就是我,一切都是WILL," encapsulate the unity of existence, suggesting that the search for meaning is not just personal but universal, reflecting a shared human experience.
Overall, Liu Zongyuan's work resonates with themes of existential inquiry and the interconnectedness of all beings, a hallmark of Tang Dynasty poetry that often sought to bridge the individual with the cosmos.
| Word | Easy Meaning | Translation | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 千万里 | 非常远的距离 | thousands of miles, indicating a vast distance | qiān wàn lǐ |
| 我 | 我自己 | I, referring to oneself | wǒ |
| 追寻着 | 寻找 | searching for | zhuī xún zhe |
| 你 | 你自己 | you, referring to another person | nǐ |
| 人生 | 生活 | life, the human experience | rén shēng |
| 意义 | 意思 | meaning, significance | yì yì |
| 千山 | 很多山 | thousands of mountains | qiān shān |
| 鸟 | 鸟类 | birds | niǎo |
| 飞绝 | 不再飞翔 | no longer flying | fēi jué |
| 万经 | 很多道路 | ten thousand paths | wàn jīng |
| 人踪 | 人的足迹 | human traces | rén zōng |
| 灭 | 消失 | to disappear | miè |
| 都 | 全部 | all, everything | dōu |
| 留下 | 留下来 | to leave behind | liú xià |
| 我的 | 我的东西 | my, belonging to me | wǒ de |
| 足迹 | 脚印 | footprints | zú jì |
| 多少年 | 很多年 | how many years | duō shǎo nián |
| 追寻 | 寻找 | to seek, to search | zhuī xún |
| 宇宙 | 整个宇宙 | the universe | yǔ zhòu |
| 奥秘 | 秘密 | mysteries | ào mì |
| 上 | 高处 | up, high | shàng |
| 穷 | 尽头 | to reach the end | qióng |
| 碧落 | 蓝天 | blue sky | bì luò |
| 下 | 低处 | down, low | xià |
| 至 | 到达 | to reach | zhì |
| 黄泉 | 阴间 | the underworld | huáng quán |
| 都是 | 全是 | are all | dōu shì |
| 记忆 | 回忆 | memories | jì yì |
| 无数次 | 很多次 | countless times | wú shù cì |
| 问 | 询问 | to ask | wèn |
| 自己 | 我自己 | myself | zì jǐ |
| 到底 | 究竟 | exactly | dào dǐ |
| 是谁 | 是谁 | who is | shì shéi |
| 日月星辰 | 太阳、月亮和星星 | sun, moon, and stars | rì yuè xīng chén |
| 山川大地 | 山和大地 | mountains and rivers, the earth | shān chuān dà dì |
| 其实 | 实际上 | actually | qí shí |
| 就是 | 是 | is, means | jiù shì |
| 寻寻觅觅 | 不断寻找 | searching and seeking | xún xún mì mì |
| 祈求 | 请求 | to pray for, to request | qí qiú |
| 宇宙的 | 宇宙的 | of the universe | yǔ zhòu de |
| 意志 | 意愿 | will, intention | yì zhì |
| 连接 | 连接起来 | to connect | lián jiē |
| 生命 | 活着的状态 | life, the state of being alive | shēng mìng |
| 的 | 的 | of, possessive particle | de |
| 点滴 | 小部分 | bits, small parts | diǎn dī |
| 一切 | 所有的事 | everything, all things | yī qiè |
| WILL | 意愿 | will, intention | WILL |
Liu Zongyuan (773–819) was a prominent Chinese poet, philosopher, and essayist during the Tang Dynasty. He was known for his contributions to the development of classical Chinese literature and his advocacy for the ancient prose movement.
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