Hello, everyone! I'm the Chinese Poetry Ambassador Michael Crook. My father was British and my mother was Canadian. They met and fell in love in China, started a family and built their careers here, devoting their whole lives to the cause of socialist construction in China. I was born in Beijing, grew up in Haidian District, close to the Western Hills of Beijing, and I especially love hiking.
So today I have chosen a poem by the Tang dynasty poet Li Bai—a poem of fourteen lines in total which is quite rare. Shakespeare in England often wrote sonnets. This one is called "Descending Zhongnan Mountain and Meeting Si the Hermit".
At dusk I leave the hills behind. The moon escorts me all the way. Looking back, I see the path wind, Across the woods so green and gray. We come to your cot hand in hand. Your lad opens the gate for me. Bamboos along the alley stand. And vines caress my cloak with glee. I'm glad to talk and drink good wine. Together with my hermit friend. We sing the songs of wind and pine. And stars are set when singings end. I'm drunk and you're merry and glad. We both forget the world is sad.
He must have climbed for about a whole day, by the time he came down, dusk had already fallen. He says "We both forget the world is sad". He wants to "forget" the "world", and I think that "world" here is not necessarily a good thing. He sometimes had things on his mind that troubled him. I feel the same way, sometimes when I go hiking, and suddenly everything opens up.
All international friends are welcome to join "ECHOES OF FRIENDSHIP" 2026 Chinese Poetry Recital by International Friends in Beijing. I hope that through reciting Chinese poetry you will come to love Chinese culture and fall in love with Beijing.
