Three Five Seven Words
autumn winds gone still; an autumn moon shines above.
fallen leaves gather and scatter, jackdaws perch and away flutter.
when each other lovers in thirst meet? at the moment tonight my heart cries.
The Autumn wind is still, the Autumn moon is bright.
Falling leaves that gather and scatter, like crows frightened from their nest.
Lovers hoping to be reunited, each time this night hurting.
Long love-sickness brings long-lasting memories, but short love-sickness brings endless longing.
If I had only known it could be so painful, I wish I’d never known you.
Li Bai,
三 五 七 言
秋风清，秋月明
落叶聚还散，寒鸦栖复惊
相思相见知何日，此时此夜难为情
入我相思门，知我相思苦
长相思兮长相忆，短相思兮无穷极
早知如此绊人心，何如当初莫相识
Why ‘three-five-seven’ ? It could be, and this is only my theory, that Li Bai is playing with symbolism. Three (san) sounds like ‘scattered’ (散), which Li Bai uses in the next line in speaking of fallen leaves that gather then scatter. Five sounds like either ‘me’ (吾) or ‘not’ (唔). Seven is similar to qi (气), referring to positive life force.