Ouzuo poems, as a specific type of poetry, were crystallized during the Mid-Tang period. Bai Juyi was the first poet to produce a substantial number of Ouzuo poems. His prolific output can be attributed not only to the influence of the Hongzhou Chan philosophy of “ordinary mind is the Way” and “no affairs” but also to his perspective on poetry as a way of life. A comparative analysis of Bai Juyi’s Ouzuo poems and those of other Mid-Tang poets reveals that these poems are characterized by a narrative approach that conveys the poet’s easy-going lifestyle. In addition to highlighting the poet’s quotidian experiences through narrative, these poems emphasize philosophical and contemplative themes, exhibiting traits of “emphasis on meaning”, “playful composition”, and “introspection”. The evolution of Ouzuo awareness from the Mid-Tang to the Song Dynasty reflects the changing trajectory of the poet’s identity and creative practice as increasingly valued by classical poets.