A cold wind blows from the far sky...
What are you thinking of, old friend?
The wildgeese never answer me.
Rivers and lakes are flooded with rain.
...A poet should beware of prosperity,
Yet demons can haunt a wanderer.
Ask an unhappy ghost, throw poems to him
Where he drowned himself in the Milo River.
Original Poem
「天末怀李白」
杜甫
凉风起天末， 君子意如何。
鸿雁几时到， 江湖秋水多。
文章憎命达， 魑魅喜人过。
应共冤魂语， 投诗赠汨罗。
Interpretation
This poem was composed in 759 AD (the second year of the Qianyuan era of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty). Earlier, Li Bai had been implicated in the rebellion of Prince Yong, Li Lin, and was exiled to Yelang (present-day Tongzi, Guizhou). While en route, Li Bai was pardoned and released near Dongting Lake and the Wu Mountains, never reaching Yelang. However, Du Fu, who was then in Qinzhou (present-day Tianshui, Gansu), was unaware of Li Bai's pardon and remained deeply worried. Prior to this, Du Fu had written Two Poems on Dreaming of Li Bai to express his longing, and this poem further conveys his deep concern for Li Bai and his lament over the misfortunes of talented individuals in troubled times.
First Couplet: "凉风起天末，君子意如何。"
Liáng fēng qǐ tiān mò, jūn zǐ yì rú hé.
A cool wind rises from the edge of the sky; how are you feeling, my noble friend?
These lines use the "cool wind" to evoke the autumn season, stirring the poet's concern for his distant friend. The autumn wind often carries a sense of melancholy, and Du Fu, far away in Qinzhou, recalls Li Bai's plight in exile, expressing heartfelt care and worry.
Second Couplet: "鸿雁几时到，江湖秋水多。"
Hóng yàn jǐ shí dào, jiāng hú qiū shuǐ duō.
When will the wild geese bring news of you? The rivers and lakes are full of autumn water, and the journey is perilous; may you travel safely.
Wild geese have long been symbols of delivering messages, and Du Fu hopes they will bring news of Li Bai. However, "the rivers and lakes are full of autumn water" not only depicts the hardships of Li Bai's journey but also reflects the poet's own anxiety and concern, conveying deep and sorrowful friendship.
Third Couplet: "文章憎命达，魑魅喜人过。"
Wén zhāng zēng mìng dá, chī mèi xǐ rén guò.
Brilliant talents often face adversity, while evil spirits delight in causing harm.
This couplet shifts to express sympathy for Li Bai's plight. Du Fu uses "brilliant talents often face adversity" to lament the tragic fate of gifted individuals throughout history, while "evil spirits delight in causing harm" satirizes the villains who persecute the virtuous. This is both a protest against Li Bai's repeated exiles and an expression of the poet's indignation at the state of the world.
Fourth Couplet: "应共冤魂语，投诗赠汨罗。"
Yīng gòng yuān hún yǔ, tóu shī zèng mì luó.
You must converse with the wronged soul of Qu Yuan, casting your poems into the Miluo River.
This couplet is filled with sorrow. The poet compares Li Bai's fate to that of Qu Yuan, expressing deep concern and indignation over his friend's plight. Du Fu fears that Li Bai's journey may end in tragedy and uses the allusion of Qu Yuan to convey his anxiety. This technique of channeling emotions through historical figures is both profound and moving.
Overall Appreciation
The poem is deeply emotional, blending scene and sentiment seamlessly. Du Fu uses the autumn wind to evoke reflections, imagining Li Bai's hardships in exile and expressing heartfelt concern for his friend. The poem not only laments Li Bai's fate but also voices indignation at the injustices of the world. The final couplet, with its allusion to Qu Yuan, conveys profound anxiety, leaving a lasting resonance. With his melancholic and powerful style, Du Fu intertwines longing for Li Bai, indignation at the troubled times, and regret for unrecognized talent, creating a deeply moving work.
Writing Characteristics
- Scene and Emotion Intertwined, Ethereal Imagery: The poet uses imagery such as the cool wind, wild geese, and autumn waters to evoke the desolation of autumn, skillfully blending it with his longing for Li Bai.
- Profound Allusions, Deep Meaning: The final couplet's allusion to Qu Yuan's drowning in the Miluo River expresses concern for Li Bai's fate and helplessness in the face of reality, conveying profound and heroic emotion.
- Concise Language, Sincere Emotion: Though the poem is only eight lines long, every word is heartfelt, and every line is filled with emotion, showcasing Du Fu's deep feelings and outstanding artistic skill.
Insights
This poem touches the heart with its deep friendship and profoundly moving sentiment, showcasing Du Fu's concern for Li Bai, his regret over unrecognized talent, and his indignation at societal injustice. By channeling personal emotions through historical allusions, the poet gives his feelings a far-reaching resonance. It reminds us that no matter how difficult the times, genuine friendship and unyielding spirit can shine brightly in the river of history.
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.
