Though a country be sundered, hills and rivers endure;
And spring comes green again to trees and grasses
Where petals have been shed like tears
And lonely birds have sung their grief.
...After the war-fires of three months,
One message from home is worth a ton of gold.
...I stroke my white hair. It has grown too thin
To hold the hairpins any more.
Original Poem:
「春望」
杜甫
国破山河在，城春草木深。
感时花溅泪，恨别鸟惊心。
烽火连三月，家书抵万金。
白头搔更短，浑欲不胜簪。
Interpretation:
During the first year of the Zhide era (756) in July, Emperor Suzong of Tang ascended the throne in Lingwu. Du Fu settled his family in Qiang Village, Fuzhou, and set out to join the emperor. Unfortunately, he was captured by rebel forces along the way and taken back to Chang'an. Due to his low official rank, he was not imprisoned. By March of the following year, Du Fu was still in Chang'an, where he witnessed the devastation of the country and separation from his family. Filled with grief and indignation, he composed this poem to express his emotions.
First Couplet: “国破山河在，城春草木深。”
guó pò shān hé zài, chéng chūn cǎo mù shēn.
Though the nation is in ruins, the mountains and rivers remain; within the springtime city, weeds overgrow, and trees flourish wildly.
The poem opens with a stark contrast, depicting the desolate scene Du Fu witnessed in spring: the mountains and rivers still stand, but the once-prosperous capital, Chang'an, is now overgrown with weeds and wild trees. The spring that should have been filled with blooming flowers and bustling crowds is now reduced to a sight of ruin and decay. The word "破" (ruin) delivers a powerful emotional impact, highlighting the devastation of war, while "深" (deep) accentuates the somber stillness of the abandoned city, evoking a profound sense of sorrow. Through this imagery, Du Fu infuses his grief for the fallen nation into the bleak spring landscape, setting a mournful tone for the entire poem.
Second Couplet: “感时花溅泪，恨别鸟惊心。”
gǎn shí huā jiàn lèi, hèn bié niǎo jīng xīn.
Grieving over the state of the nation, I weep as I see the spring blossoms; mourning separation from loved ones, I shudder at the sound of birdsong.
Here, emotion blends seamlessly with imagery. Flowers seem to shed tears, and birdsong feels unsettling — all due to the poet’s grief-stricken state. The blossoms, meant to bring joy, now evoke tears; the birdsong, usually pleasant, now stirs anxiety. Just like the sentiment in "When I departed, the willows swayed; upon my return, snowflakes danced in the air", the juxtaposition of beauty and sorrow amplifies the poet’s heartache. Du Fu’s masterful use of this technique deepens the emotional weight of the poem and strengthens the atmosphere of melancholy during times of war.
Third Couplet: “烽火连三月，家书抵万金。”
fēng huǒ lián sān yuè, jiā shū dǐ wàn jīn.
For three months, war fires have raged without end; a letter from home is as precious as gold.
The poet laments the relentless war that has continued for months. Emperor Xuanzong had fled to Shu, Emperor Suzong had ascended the throne, yet the war persisted, and Chang'an remained in enemy hands. Trapped in this chaos, Du Fu was unable to hear from his family. In this turmoil, a letter from home was worth more than gold. In a brief yet powerful line, Du Fu conveys his longing for his loved ones while reflecting the universal anguish experienced by countless war-torn families.
Fourth Couplet: “白头搔更短，浑欲不胜簪。”
bái tóu sāo gèng duǎn, hún yù bù shèng zān.
Grief consumes me; I scratch my white hair, now so thin that it barely holds a hairpin.
With no end to the war and no news from home, Du Fu’s anxiety grows unbearable. To ease his frustration, he scratches his head, but each touch reveals his hair thinning further — a reflection of his deep sorrow. The word "搔" (scratch) vividly portrays his restlessness, while "更短" (even shorter) intensifies the sense of overwhelming grief. The image of his thinning hair, barely able to hold a hairpin, powerfully underscores the poet’s physical and emotional toll.
Overall Analysis
The poem skillfully employs contrast: “ruined nation” versus “existing mountains and rivers,” “spring city” versus “overgrown weeds.” These contrasts highlight the tragic transformation of Chang'an due to war. Du Fu’s feelings of pain for the country and longing for his family are deeply intertwined, enriching the poem's emotional depth. The third couplet introduces the theme of longing for home, emphasizing the heartbreak of disrupted communication during wartime. The final couplet shifts from external observations to internal anguish, marking the poem’s emotional climax. This layered structure gradually intensifies the sorrow, leaving a lasting impression.
Writing Features
The poem’s strength lies in its seamless blending of imagery and emotion. Through vivid contrasts, poignant metaphors, and concise language, Du Fu captures the tragic reality of war. The famous line “烽火连三月，家书抵万金” (War fires rage for three months; a letter from home is worth a thousand gold pieces) has become an enduring symbol of longing and familial love amid turmoil. The poem’s heavy tone and profound sorrow reflect Du Fu’s deep concern for his country and people, solidifying his role as the “Poet-Historian.”
Insights
Du Fu’s Spring View is not just a personal lament but also a tragic reflection of an entire era’s suffering. His vivid portrayal of wartime devastation reveals the cruelty of conflict — destroying cities, separating families, and turning simple joys like a letter into priceless treasures. This timeless poem reminds us to cherish peace and appreciate the stability we often take for granted.
Poem translator:
Kiang Kanghu
About the poet
Du Fu (杜甫), 712 - 770 AD, was a great poet of the Tang Dynasty, known as the "Sage of Poetry". Born into a declining bureaucratic family, Du Fu had a rough life, and his turbulent and dislocated life made him keenly aware of the plight of the masses. Therefore, his poems were always closely related to the current affairs, reflecting the social life of that era in a more comprehensive way, with profound thoughts and a broad realm. In his poetic art, he was able to combine many styles, forming a unique style of "profound and thick", and becoming a great realist poet in the history of China.
