Egrets of the mind
Wang River Collection no. 13
Rapids by the Luan Farm Wang Wei Around me, autumn rain is gently sighing, Before me, stony rapids' rushing roar. The waves are leaping, splashing, spray is flying, White egrets startling, settling once more. 王维 栾家濑 飒飒秋雨中，浅浅石溜泻。 跳波自相溅，白鹭惊复下。
Luan is a surname, probably the name of the family who lived at that particular farm on Wang's estate.
Many of the poems in this series mythologise the landscape. My reading of this poem is that there are not really egrets on the stream; only the white spray of water that creates majestic white birds in the poet's mind.
Pei Di's poem at the same site (prose translation):
The sound of the rapids reaches the other bank;/we follow the stream to the southern ford./All the gulls and ducks cross here;/and sometimes they are willing to approach people.
Pei Di also references a mythic story here: gulls were said to be willing to approach men who are pure of heart and would not hunt them.
On a purely personal note: I live in a little slice of paradise called Xiamen, down on the southeastern coast of China. Right next to my flat is a bay where egrets fly and nest. Their curious square neck/chest shape in flight is endlessly engaging. If you ever get the chance, do come and visit my town.
Previous installments in this series:
Wang River Collection (1) The Dip by Meng Wall 辋川集（一）孟城坳
Wang River Collection (2) Glory Ridge 辋川集（二）华子冈
Wang River Collection (3) Pavilion of Rich-grained Apricot Wood 辋川集（三）文杏馆
Wang River Collection (4) Bamboo Loggers' Forest 辋川集（四）斤竹岭
Reminds me of the Egrets I used to see while living in the suburbs of Seoul in South Korea. They'd be spread out along a small stream near my apartment and mixed in with the occasional Great Blue Heron. Quite a contrast to see the Herons with low-key grays and darker colours with the striking bright white of the Egrets.