Listening to the Monk Jun from Shu Playing His Lute
By Li Bai (Tang Dynasty)
This poem is included in Three Hundred Tang Poems.
蜀僧抱绿绮，西下峨眉峰。
A monk from Shu, carrying his green-lacquered lute, came down from the western peak of Mount Emei.
为我一挥手，如听万壑松。
He strummed for me with a sweep of his hand, and I heard the sound of pines in ten thousand valleys.
客心洗流水，余响入霜钟。
My traveler’s heart was cleansed by the flowing stream; the lingering echoes merged with the frosty bell.
不觉碧山暮，秋云暗几重。
Unaware, the green hills grew dim with dusk; how many layers of autumn clouds had darkened?