There are sobs when death is the cause of parting;
But life has its partings again and again.
…From the poisonous damps of the southern river
You had sent me not one sign from your exile --
Till you came to me last night in a dream,
Because I am always thinking of you.
I wondered if it were really you,
Venturing so long a journey.
You came to me through the green of a forest,
You disappeared by a shadowy fortress…
Yet out of the midmost mesh of your snare,
How could you lift your wings and use them?
…I woke, and the low moon's glimmer on a rafter
Seemed to be your face, still floating in the air.
…There were waters to cross, they were wild and tossing;
If you fell, there were dragons and rivermonsters.
Original Poem:
「梦李白二首 · 其一」
杜甫
死别已吞声，生别常恻恻。
江南瘴疠地，逐客无消息。
故人入我梦，明我长相忆。
君今在罗网，何以有羽翼。
恐非平生魂，路远不可测。
魂来枫林青，魂返关塞黑。
落月满屋梁，犹疑照颜色。
水深波浪阔，无使蛟龙得。
Interpretation:
In the first year of the Zhide era of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty (756 AD), Li Bai was arrested for his involvement in the rebellion of Prince Yong, Li Lin. After being released on bail, he was exiled to Yelang (present-day Tongzi, Guizhou) in the spring of the first year of the Qianyuan era (758 AD). In the spring and summer of 759 AD, Li Bai was pardoned and released. At the time, Du Fu was living in Qinzhou and only knew of Li Bai's exile, unaware that he had been pardoned. Deeply concerned, Du Fu's longing for his friend turned into dreams. Through these dreams, the poet expresses his profound care for Li Bai's tragic fate and condemns the forces that persecuted him.
First Couplet: "死别已吞声，生别常恻恻。"
Sǐ bié yǐ tūn shēng, shēng bié cháng cè cè.
Parting in death brings silent grief, but parting in life is even more heart-wrenching.
The poet uses "parting in death" to contrast with "parting in life," emphasizing the deeper anxiety and pain caused by Li Bai's exile and prolonged silence. The opening lines set a sorrowful tone, paving the way for the emotional depth that follows.
Second Couplet: "江南瘴疠地，逐客无消息。"
Jiāng nán zhàng lì dì, zhú kè wú xiāo xī.
The southern lands are plagued by miasma; the exiled one has no news.
This couplet highlights the harsh environment of the south, where miasma and disease make survival difficult. The poet's anxiety grows due to the lack of news from Li Bai.
Third Couplet: "故人入我梦，明我长相忆。"
Gù rén rù wǒ mèng, míng wǒ cháng xiāng yì.
My old friend enters my dreams, showing how deeply I have missed you.
The phrase "enters my dreams" (入梦, rù mèng) rather than "I dream of you" emphasizes the vividness of Li Bai's presence, making Du Fu's long-standing思念 (longing) tangible.
Fourth Couplet: "恐非平生魂，路远不可测。"
Kǒng fēi píng shēng hún, lù yuǎn bù kě cè.
I fear this may not be your living spirit, for the journey is long and uncertain.
At first, the poet is overjoyed to see Li Bai in his dream, but this quickly turns to unease as he worries that Li Bai may have met a tragic fate, reflecting his deep concern for his friend.
Fifth Couplet: "魂来枫林青，魂返关塞黑。"
Hún lái fēng lín qīng, hún fǎn guān sài hēi.
Your spirit comes from the green maple forests of the south, but returns through the dark passes of the north.
The poet transitions from the dream to reality, using Li Bai's "coming" and "returning" as symbols of his friend's坎坷 (turbulent) career and life.
Sixth Couplet: "君今在罗网，何以有羽翼？"
Jūn jīn zài luó wǎng, hé yǐ yǒu yǔ yì?
Now that you are trapped in a net, how can you still have wings to fly?
In the dream, the poet questions how Li Bai, trapped and persecuted, could still appear before him, emphasizing the无奈 (helplessness) of fate.
Seventh Couplet: "落月满屋梁，犹疑照颜色。"
Luò yuè mǎn wū liáng, yóu yí zhào yán sè.
The setting moon bathes the roof beams in light, and I still wonder if it illuminates your face.
After waking, the poet remains uncertain whether Li Bai's presence was real, expressing his lingering attachment and reluctance to let go.
Eighth Couplet: "水深波浪阔，无使蛟龙得。"
Shuǐ shēn bō làng kuò, wú shǐ jiāo lóng dé.
The water is deep, the waves are vast; do not let the dragons seize you.
With a romantic imagination, the poet expresses his deep concern for Li Bai's safety, conveying heartfelt emotion.
Overall Appreciation
This poem uses "dreams" as a thread to weave together Du Fu's deep思念 (longing) for Li Bai, his忧虑 (anxiety) over Li Bai's fate, and his concern for the dangerous environment. The poet vividly portrays the image of Li Bai in his dreams and his own emotional fluctuations, revealing his inner turmoil and pain. The poem alternates between reality and illusion, blending scene and emotion seamlessly.
Writing Characteristics
- Clever Structure, Layered Progression: The poet unfolds the narrative step by step—from pre-dream牵挂 (concern), to the dream encounter, to post-dream anxiety—creating a clear and emotionally escalating structure.
- Sincere Emotion, Deeply Moving: Through contrasts like "parting in death" and "parting in life," the poet渲染 (amplifies) the profound sorrow, showcasing his endless牵挂 (concern) for Li Bai.
- Profound Meaning, Ethereal Imagery: The line "the water is deep, the waves are vast; do not let the dragons seize you" uses romantic imagination to convey his care and blessings for his friend, leaving a lasting resonance.
Insights
This poem reflects Du Fu's deep friendship and concern for Li Bai, highlighting Du Fu's character as someone who cares deeply for his country, his people, and his friends. The intense concern for a friend's safety is one of the most genuine and precious aspects of human emotion. Even in adversity, the poet remains steadfast in his commitment to friendship, justice, and ideals—a spirit worth cherishing.
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.
