From an upper story by Du Fu

Flowers, as high as my window, hurt the heart of a wanderer
For I see, from this high vantage, sadness everywhere.
The Silken River, bright with spring, floats between earth and heaven
Like a line of cloud by the Jade Peak, between ancient days and now.
...Though the State is established for a while as firm as the North Star
And bandits dare not venture from the western hills,
Yet sorry in the twilight for the woes of a longvanished Emperor,
I am singing the song his Premier sang when still unestranged from the mountain.

Original Poem:

「登楼」
花近高楼伤客心， 万方多难此登临。
锦江春色来天地， 玉垒浮云变古今。
北极朝庭终不改， 西山寇盗莫相侵。
可怜后主还祠庙， 日暮聊为梁父吟。

杜甫

Interpretation:

This poem was written in the second year of Emperor Daizong’s Guangde era (764) during the Tang Dynasty. At that time, the political situation was turbulent, and the Tibetan forces had occupied parts of western Sichuan. Upon learning that Yan Wu had regained control as the military governor of both the eastern and western Sichuan regions, Du Fu felt a spark of hope. Faced with the troubled land and chaotic circumstances, the poet climbed the tower and composed this poem to express his complex feelings of concern for his country and people.

First Couplet: “花近高楼伤客心，万方多难此登临。”
huā jìn gāo lóu shāng kè xīn, wàn fāng duō nàn cǐ dēng lín.
The spring flowers bloom brightly near the tower, yet they sadden the heart of a wandering guest; as my country faces turmoil from all sides, I ascend this tower with a heart full of sorrow.

This couplet employs an inverted structure to describe the timing and emotions surrounding the poet’s ascent. While spring flowers are meant to bring joy, the poet’s heart is burdened with sorrow due to the country’s suffering. The beauty of spring contrasts starkly with the poet’s deep concern for the nation's fate.

Second Couplet: “锦江春色来天地，玉垒浮云变古今。”
jǐn jiāng chūn sè lái tiān dì, yù lěi fú yún biàn gǔ jīn.
The spring scenery along the Jin River stretches between heaven and earth; the floating clouds above Mount Yulei shift and change like the passing of time.

This couplet describes the landscape while metaphorically reflecting the poet’s emotions. The expansive beauty of the Jin River's spring scenery cannot conceal the underlying unrest. The shifting clouds symbolize the unpredictable changes in political affairs, alluding to the uncertain fate of the nation.

Third Couplet: “北极朝廷终不改，西山寇盗莫相侵。”
běi jí cháo tíng zhōng bù gǎi, xī shān kòu dào mò xiāng qīn.
The Tang court stands firm like the North Star, unshaken and steady; let the bandits from the western mountains (Tibetan invaders) dare not invade again.

Here, the poet uses the North Star as a symbol of stability, expressing his belief in the resilience of the Tang Dynasty. At the same time, he warns the Tibetan forces to cease their aggression against Sichuan. This couplet reveals the poet’s simultaneous confidence in the nation's strength and anxiety about its future.

Fourth Couplet: “可怜后主还祠庙，日暮聊为梁甫吟。”
kě lián hòu zhǔ hái cí miào, rì mù liáo wéi liáng fǔ yín.
Pitifully, Liu Houzhu (the last emperor of Shu) still enjoys ancestral worship; at dusk, I can only chant ‘Liangfu Yin’ to express my sorrow.

The poet reflects on Liu Houzhu, the last emperor of Shu, who lost his kingdom due to incompetence yet still receives posthumous honors. This reference suggests the poet’s concerns about Emperor Daizong’s reliance on eunuchs and the court's declining stability. By chanting ‘Liangfu Yin’ — a poem associated with Zhuge Liang’s frustration at being unable to serve his country — Du Fu conveys his feelings of helplessness and frustration in turbulent times.

Overall Analysis

The poem combines emotional reflection with vivid scenery, seamlessly intertwining the poet’s concerns for the nation with the surrounding landscape. Through depictions of spring flowers, the Jin River, and Mount Yulei, Du Fu illustrates the instability of the times. While he acknowledges a temporary victory for his nation, he also expresses lingering anxiety about future crises. The poem concludes with a reference to ‘Liangfu Yin,’ which highlights Du Fu’s overwhelming sense of sorrow and powerlessness.

Literary Features

• Fusion of Scenery, Emotion, and Reflection: Du Fu masterfully integrates his observations of the landscape, his emotional turmoil, and his reflections on the nation's crisis, creating a deeply moving and multi-dimensional poem.
• Striking Contrasts: The contrast between the bright spring flowers and the poet’s inner sorrow, the vast beauty of the Jin River and the unstable political climate, as well as the incompetence of Liu Houzhu versus the wisdom of Zhuge Liang, enriches the poem’s emotional depth.
• Symbolism and Historical Allusion: The references to Liu Houzhu and Zhuge Liang reflect Du Fu’s concerns for his country’s fate and his frustration at his inability to contribute directly, giving the poem profound meaning.

Insights

This poem reflects Du Fu’s deep concern for his country’s stability and his anxiety about political turmoil. Despite his personal struggles, Du Fu’s unwavering patriotism shines through. His dedication reminds us that in times of crisis, one must remain committed to social responsibility and continue to uphold integrity and righteous values.

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.