“Riverside Dwelling” is a poem written by Tang Dynasty writer Liu Zongyuan after he was demoted to Yongzhou. This poem describes how he lived a leisurely life by building a house by the stream after being demoted to Yongzhou, which is known as the “Southern Wilderness”. On the surface, it is a self-entertainment and self-enjoyment, but in fact it indirectly expresses the resentment of being exiled, and the words imply the author’s depression that his ambitions could not be fulfilled.
《溪居》是唐代文学家柳宗元被贬永州后的诗作。这首诗描写他被贬官到有“南荒”之称的永州后，在溪边筑室而居，过着闲适的生活。表面上自我排遣，也自得其乐，实际上曲折地表达被贬谪的幽愤，字里行间隐含了作者壮志难酬的苦闷之情。
《溪居》 柳宗元
久为簪组累，幸此南夷谪。
闲依农圃邻，偶似山林客。
晓耕翻露草，夜榜响溪石。
来往不逢人，长歌楚天碧。
Abiding by the Runlet
Liu Zongyuan
For long being entangled by ties of office,
I sense fine hap as an exile to the wild South.
In my leisurely sojourn with farming neighbours,
I feel I am somewhat like a mountain sylvan.
In daybreak tillage upturning dewy weeds,
In nightly row resounding oar strokes from bank rocks,
I come and go without meeting anyone.
And sing aloud ‘neath the azure sky of Chu.
