死别已吞声，生别常恻恻。江南瘴疠地，逐客无消息。
sǐ bié yǐ tūn shēng ， shēng bié cháng cè cè 。 jiāng nán zhàng lì dì ， zhú kè wú xiāo xī 。
故人入我梦，明我长相忆。恐非平生魂，路远不可测。
gù rén rù wǒ mèng ， míng wǒ cháng xiāng yì 。 kǒng fēi píng shēng hún ， lù yuǎn bù kě cè 。
魂来枫叶青，魂返关塞黑。君今在罗网，何以有羽翼。
hún lái fēng yè qīng ， hún fǎn guān sāi hēi 。 jūn jīn zài luó wǎng ， hé yǐ yǒu yǔ yì 。
落月满屋梁，犹疑照颜色。水深波浪阔，无使蛟龙得。
luò yuè mǎn wū liáng ， yóu yí zhào yán sè 。 shuǐ shēn bō làng kuò ， wú shǐ jiāo lóng dé 。
In the year 744AD, on the third year of the Tianbao (天宝三载), Li Bai and Du Fu first met in Luoyang, and became close friends. During the year 758AD, in the first year of Qianyuan 乾元元年, Li Bai was implicated in the political faction of Prince Li Lin (本名李澤, 封:永王) and was exiled to Yelang (夜郎). In the second year, he was pardoned and arrived in Wushan (巫山) in the spring. Du Fu only knew about Li Bai's exile, but was unaware of his pardon. As a result, he wrote the first poem of "Dreaming of Li Bai".
The poem describes the sequence of events before, during, and after Du Fu's dream about
Li Bai. In the first part, he expresses his concern for his friend's fate. In the second, he depicts the image of Li Bai in his dream and expresses sympathy for his friend's plight. The phrases such as "水深波浪阔，无使蛟龙得 Take care on your travels through deep waters and rough waves, do not be taken by the lurking serpent dragon" highlight the deep bond of friendship and concern Du Fu shows for Li Bai.
死别已吞声，生别常恻恻。
"The parting of the living often causes more sorrow than the tears shed for the dead."
江南瘴疠地，逐客无消息。
"The Jiangnan region is infested with malaria,and there is no news about the fate of my exiled friend."
This poem starts with the theme of separation, as to begin a poem about a dream, one must first introduce the theme of separation. Before seperation, the theme of death should also be introduced and with it, the contrast between a parting in life and the finality of death is brought out. The first line portrays the immense pain that Li Bai must have felt in his heart during his exile in a faraway land with no word from home. The beginning brings forth an atmosphere of sadness that pervades throughout the entire poem.
故人入我梦，明我长相忆。
"The old friend enters my dream, for he knows I keep him in my memories"
Instead of saying "dreamed of an old friend," the phrase "enters the dream" is used, which highlights the emotional impact of the friend's appearance. The friend's presence in the dream is a reflection of the poet's long-lasting longing and portrays Li Bai's phantom suddenly appearing in the dream, expressing the poet's joy and relief at seeing him again.
恐非平生魂，路远不可测。
"Im afraid this is not a peaceful spirit, for the journey is unimaginably long"
魂来枫叶青，魂返关塞黑。
"Your spirit came drifting from the green maple forest (Location of Li Bai Exile), and it will return over the black lands of the pass. (Location of Du Fu) "
As the poet reflects on the departure of his friend's soul, he contemplates: the friend's spirit traveled from the south to the verdant maple forest and returns to the dark and foreboding Wan Zhang Pass in Qin, a journey that was remote, arduous, and solitary.
君今在罗网，何以有羽翼。
"Now trapped and powerless, how could you come?"
If Li Bai is confined , how could he have come to Du Fu? This thought is followed by various dark rumors about Li Bai's fate, prompting Du Fu to wonder whether he is truly alive or not. The poet's intricate portrayal of his dream is delicate and realistic, depicting the complex emotions of joy, doubt, and deep anxiety about Li Bai`s fate.
落月满屋梁，犹疑照颜色。
"The bright moonlight pours over the roof, is this your face?"
水深波浪阔，无使蛟龙得。
"Take care on your travels through deep waters and rough waves, do not be taken by the lurking serpent dragon"
This scene is a metaphor for Li Bai's dangerous predicament, while the anxious prayer reflects the poet's deep concern for his friend's fate. Two allusions related to Qu Yuan (屈原) are used here: "魂来枫林青Souls come to the green forest of maple" is from the "Summoning the Soul" chapter of "Chu Ci"《楚辞·招魂》: "Clear is the water of the river with maple trees growing upon it; My eyes can see a thousand miles away, but my heart is sad. Oh soul! Return and lament for the south of the river!" (湛湛江水兮上有枫，目极千里兮伤春心，魂兮归来哀江南！)
The old saying goes that Song Yu (宋玉) wrote this chapter to summon Qu Yuan's soul. The phrase "蛟龙serpent dragon" is from the "Continuation of the Qi Hilarious Records" by Wu Jun from the Liang Dynasty. In the early Eastern Han Dynasty, someone in Changsha claimed to be Qu Yuan, and he said, "I have seen great sacrifices, but I am still tormented by the serpent dragon" (吾尝见祭甚盛，然为蛟龙所苦。)
By using these allusions to connect Li Bai with Qu Yuan, the poet not only emphasizes the tragic nature of Li Bai's fate but also expresses his admiration and respect for him.