Clerical Script Horizontal Scroll of a Poem by Ming Dynasty Poet Cai Nan (隸書明人蔡楠詩橫幅)

This calligraphy work is a horizontal piece written in the clerical script (隶书), featuring the poem *"Clear Evening After Rain"* (**晚晴**) by Cai Nan, a poet of the Ming dynasty. The full poem reads: > The mountains clear as evening nears, > Their hues turn deeper, calm and blue. > A spring falls by the cloud-veiled mill, > A boat returns through treetops too. > Slanting light spreads on sandy shore, > In distant fields, green mist is thin. > Once more with gulls and ducks I roam, > At leisure, flying past autumn’s stream. The verses depict a serene landscape at dusk after rain, capturing a harmonious and tranquil view of nature. Through the leisurely flight of waterfowl, the poem expresses a feeling of peace and quiet contentment. The calligraphy is executed with controlled and steady ink, each stroke showing a clear rhythm. The characters vary in form and placement, reflecting both structure and liveliness. The composition is balanced across each line, radiating a natural, unadorned elegance—much like a stroll through a quiet forest. This piece embodies both literary refinement and disciplined beauty, making it a successful fusion of poetry and calligraphy with a distant, contemplative mood.