浮云终日行，游子久不至。

^{_{fú yún zhōng rì xíng ， yóu zǐ jiǔ bù zhì 。}}

三夜频梦君，情亲见君意。

^{_{sān yè pín mèng jūn ， qíng qīn jiàn jūn yì 。}}

告归常局促，苦道来不易。

^{gào guī cháng jú cù ， kǔ dào lái bù yì 。}

江湖多风波，舟楫恐失坠。

^{jiāng hú duō fēng bō ， zhōu jí kǒng shī zhuì 。}

出门搔白首，若负平生志。

^{chū mén sāo bái shǒu ， ruò fù píng shēng zhì 。}

冠盖满京华，斯人独憔悴。

^{guān gài mǎn jīng huá ， sī rén dú qiáo cuì 。}

孰云网恢恢，将老身反累。

^{shú yún wǎng huī huī ， jiāng lǎo shēn fǎn léi 。}

千秋万岁名，寂寞身后事。

^{qiān qiū wàn suì míng ， jì mò shēn hòu shì 。}

The Two Dream Poems of Li Bai each contain four, six, and six portions (e.g. 1. 浮云终日行 2. 游子久不至..), respectively, in the "一头两脚体 one head and two feet" style, according to the Qing dynasty scholar Chou Zhao'ao.

The first poem portrays the poet's emotions upon first dreaming of Li Bai, expressing concern for his friend's life and death. The second poem describes Li Bai's image in the dream, expressing sympathy for his friend's tragic fate. The two poems form a complete structure, with the first poem beginning with a parting by death and the second concluding with post mortem affairs.

However, the two poems differ greatly in their content and imagery as well. The first is about the poet's concern for Li Bai's current situation, while the second is about his sympathy for the unappreciated life that Li Bai had. The upper section's emotions of worry and fear are solely for Li Bai, while the lower section's dissatisfaction and indignation contain the poet's own feelings.

浮云终日行，游子久不至。

The line is a common metaphor used by poets, where floating clouds represent the wandering traveler and the yearning for a long-awaited reunion with a distant friend or loved one. Li Bai himself also wrote in his poem sending off a friend (送友人):Floating clouds reflect the wanderer's heart, setting sun a reminder of old friends. "浮云游子意，落日故人情" While the clouds drift endlessly in the sky, the distant friend is still out of reach.

三夜频梦君，情亲见君意。

Fortunately, Li Bai's deep affection for his friend brings his soul to visit the poet frequently, easing his worries and sorrows. "Three nights of frequent dreams of you, seeing your will and our closeness", echoes the sentiments expressed in the previous poem, "故人入我梦，明我长相忆 In my dream, my old friend came, making my memory of him clear", and reflects their strong bonds of friendship.

告归常局促，苦道来不易。

江湖多风波，舟楫恐失坠

The body begins with a goodbye from Li Bai"告归". The first two lines of the body depict Li Bai's reluctance to depart. The third and fourth lines are Li Bai's internal monologue of fear of the treacherous journey and the hardships he may face. Upon bidding farewell, Li Bai always laments "来一趟好不容易啊，江湖上风波迭起，我真怕会沉船呢！How difficult it is to make this journey! The waters of the river are treacherous, and I fear the ship will sinks!"

出门搔白首，若负平生志。

As he leaves, he would scratch his white hair, filled with regret for not fulfilling his lifelong aspirations. The fifth and sixth lines illustrate his actions upon leaving, revealing his age and unfulfilled ambitions. The scene is a vivid portrayal of Li Bai's desolate and sorrowful state.

冠盖满京华，斯人独憔悴。

In the second body, following the six parts after headdress "冠盖", they expresses the poet's indignation over the hardships that Li Bai had endured. In the capital city of Chang'an (长安), high-ranking officials and nobles with magnificent headdresses and canopies are everywhere, but Li Bai, a great poet, was left alone, struggling and penniless.

孰云网恢恢，将老身反累。

Even in his old age(59), he was exiled to Yelang and lost his freedom. Where is God`s Justice (天网恢恢)? This sharp contrast and deep reproach reveals Du Fu`s deep sympathy for Li Bai and his indignation towards his plight.

千秋万岁名，寂寞身后事。

"His name will last forever, but that will be after his lonely death." Although Li Bai's poetry can enjoy everlasting fame, what use is it to him if he suffers such a tragic fate during his life? In this heavy sigh, the poet expresses his admiration and sympathy for Li Bai, as well as worry about his own fate.