Followed mountains over a thousand miles,
Floated on a stream for almost ten evenings.
Birds return: boats and oars put aside.
Stars thinned out: a long weary trip.
High and bright, morning moon.
Cold, so cold, early dewdrips.
translated by Wai-lim Yip
Is this a monk on a pilgrimmage?
A poet most likely in exile going home.
Poets were exiled during that particular dynasty?
All Chinese poets/scholars throughout their long history, also took the Civil Service Exam which, depending on their score, granted them government jobs. And these poet/scholars often didn’t always pick the right side in court intriques, thus ending up being exiled to far off posts.