It is almost as hard for friends to meet
As for the morning and evening stars.
Tonight then is a rare event,
Joining, in the candlelight,
Two men who were young not long ago
But now are turning grey at the temples.
…To find that half our friends are dead
Shocks us, burns our hearts with grief.
We little guessed it would be twenty years
Before I could visit you again.
When I went away, you were still unmarried;
But now these boys and girls in a row
Are very kind to their father's old friend.
They ask me where I have been on my journey;
And then, when we have talked awhile,
They bring and show me wines and dishes,
Spring chives cut in the night-rain
And brown rice cooked freshly a special way.
…My host proclaims it a festival,
He urges me to drink ten cups --
But what ten cups could make me as drunk
As I always am with your love in my heart?
…Tomorrow the mountains will separate us;
After tomorrow-who can say?
Original Poem:
「赠卫八处士」
杜甫
人生不相见， 动如参与商。
今夕复何夕， 共此灯烛光。
少壮能几时， 鬓发各已苍。
访旧半为鬼， 惊呼热中肠。
焉知二十载， 重上君子堂。
昔别君未婚， 儿女忽成行。
怡然敬父执， 问我来何方。
问答乃未已， 驱儿罗酒浆。
夜雨剪春韭， 新炊间黄粱。
主称会面难， 一举累十觞。
十觞亦不醉， 感子故意长。
明日隔山岳， 世事两茫茫。
Interpretation:
"To My Retired Friend Wei" was written in 759 AD during the reign of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty. Amid the chaos of the An-Shi Rebellion, Du Fu wandered from place to place, separated from his old friend Wei Ba for twenty years. When they finally reunited, Du Fu composed this poem to express the joy of their unexpected meeting, the sorrow of life's impermanence, and the unpredictability of human relationships.
First Couplet: "人生不相见，动如参与商。今夕复何夕，共此灯烛光。"
Rénshēng bù xiāngjiàn, dòng rú shēn yǔ shāng. Jīnxī fù hé xī, gòng cǐ dēng zhú guāng.
In life, meetings are rare, like the stars Shen and Shang, forever apart. What special night is this, that we share the glow of the same lamp?
Du Fu uses the stars Shen and Shang, which never appear in the sky together, as a metaphor for the rarity of human encounters. The rhetorical question "What special night is this?" highlights the joy of their reunion, emphasizing the preciousness of this moment.
Second Couplet: "少壮能几时，鬓发各已苍。访旧半为鬼，惊呼热中肠。"
Shàozhuàng néng jǐ shí, bìn fà gè yǐ cāng. Fǎng jiù bàn wéi guǐ, jīnghū rè zhōng cháng.
How long does youth last? Now our hair is streaked with gray. Half of our old friends are gone, and the news shocks me to the core.
Here, Du Fu reflects on the passage of time. The once-youthful friends are now aged, and many of their old companions have passed away. The word "shocks" (惊呼) conveys the depth of his grief, making the sorrow feel immediate and raw.
Third Couplet: "焉知二十载，重上君子堂。昔别君未婚，儿女忽成行。怡然敬父执，问我来何方。"
Yān zhī èrshí zǎi, chóng shàng jūnzǐ táng. Xī bié jūn wèi hūn, érnǚ hū chéng háng. Yírán jìng fù zhí, wèn wǒ lái hé fāng.
Who could have imagined that after twenty years, I would step into your home again? When we parted, you were unmarried; now your children stand in rows. They greet me politely, asking where I have come from.
Du Fu expresses his astonishment at the reunion and the passage of time. The growth of Wei Ba's children, who now greet him with respect, underscores the swiftness of time's passage and adds a layer of bittersweet nostalgia to the poem.
Fourth Couplet: "问答乃未已，驱儿罗酒浆。夜雨剪春韭，新炊间黄粱。主称会面难，一举累十觞。"
Wèndá nǎi wèi yǐ, qū ér luó jiǔ jiāng. Yè yǔ jiǎn chūn jiǔ, xīn chuī jiān huáng liáng. Zhǔ chēng huìmiàn nán, yī jǔ lèi shí shāng.
Our conversation flows endlessly, and you urge your children to prepare wine and food. In the night rain, you cut fresh spring chives, and steam rises from newly cooked millet. You say such meetings are rare, and we toast ten cups in a row.
This couplet paints a warm and intimate scene of their reunion. The simple yet heartfelt gestures—cutting fresh chives, cooking millet, and toasting repeatedly—highlight the depth of their friendship and the joy of their meeting.
Fifth Couplet: "十觞亦不醉，感子故意长。明日隔山岳，世事两茫茫。"
Shí shāng yì bù zuì, gǎn zǐ gùyì cháng. Míngrì gé shān yuè, shìshì liǎng mángmáng.
Ten cups, yet I remain sober, moved by your enduring kindness. Tomorrow, mountains will separate us, and the future is uncertain.
The final couplet expresses Du Fu's gratitude for his friend's kindness and his sorrow over their impending separation. The phrase "the future is uncertain" (世事两茫茫) captures the unpredictability of life, leaving the poem on a poignant and reflective note.
Overall Appreciation
This poem is a heartfelt reflection on the rarity of human connections, the passage of time, and the joy of reunion. Du Fu masterfully contrasts the sorrow of lost friends and fleeting youth with the warmth of his meeting with Wei Ba. The poem's emotional depth is heightened by its vivid imagery and sincere tone, making it a moving meditation on life's impermanence and the enduring value of friendship.
Writing Characteristics
- Vivid Contrasts, Emotional Depth
Du Fu juxtaposes the rarity of meetings (like the stars Shen and Shang) with the joy of reunion, and the swift passage of time with the enduring warmth of friendship, creating a rich emotional tapestry. - Simple Language, Profound Meaning
The poem's straightforward language and everyday details—like cutting chives and toasting wine—make the emotions feel immediate and relatable, while also conveying deeper philosophical reflections. - Layered Structure, Gradual Progression
The poem moves from the rarity of meetings to the passage of time, the growth of children, the warmth of reunion, and finally the uncertainty of the future, creating a seamless and impactful narrative. - Symbolic Imagery
The stars Shen and Shang, the night rain, and the mountains all serve as symbols of separation, impermanence, and the unpredictability of life, enriching the poem's thematic depth.
Insights
This poem captures the bittersweet nature of human relationships, where joy and sorrow are often intertwined. Du Fu's reflections on the rarity of meetings and the swift passage of time remind us to cherish the moments we have with loved ones. The warmth of his reunion with Wei Ba, despite the uncertainty of the future, underscores the enduring value of friendship and kindness. In a world where life is unpredictable and separation is inevitable, the poem encourages us to hold onto the connections that bring us comfort and meaning.
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.
