Two golden orioles sing amid the willows green;
A flock of white egrets fly into the blue sky.
My window frames the snow-crowned western mountain scene;
My door off says to eastward going ships "Goodbye!"
Original Poem
「绝句四首 · 其三」
杜甫
两个黄鹂鸣翠柳，一行白鹭上青天。
窗含西岭千秋雪，门泊东吴万里船。
Interpretation
This poem was composed during Du Fu's stay at his thatched cottage in Chengdu, likely around 764 AD. At the time, Du Fu had endured the chaos of war and displacement before finding temporary stability in Chengdu. During this period, Du Fu experienced a sense of relaxation, and the bright spring scenery brought him moments of peace and joy. However, his deep concerns for his country and his longing for his homeland lingered, and these complex emotions are woven into the poem.
First Couplet: "两个黄鹂鸣翠柳，一行白鹭上青天。"
Liǎng gè huánglí míng cuì liǔ, yī háng báilù shàng qīng tiān.
Two orioles sing cheerfully among the emerald willows; a line of egrets soars gracefully into the blue sky.
The opening couplet depicts a vibrant and colorful spring scene. The orioles perch on the fresh green willow branches, their golden hues contrasting beautifully with the lush greenery, creating a bright and lively spring image. Meanwhile, a line of egrets flies in formation across the azure sky, their white wings standing out vividly against the blue backdrop. The combination of movement and stillness, along with the rich colors, evokes a sense of spring's vitality and exuberance.
Second Couplet: "窗含西岭千秋雪，门泊东吴万里船。"
Chuāng hán xī lǐng qiān qiū xuě, mén bó dōng wú wàn lǐ chuán.
Through the window, I see the snow-capped Western Hills that never melt; outside the door, boats from distant Wu moor along the river.
This couplet shifts the poet's gaze from distant mountains to the riverside. The snow on the Western Hills never melts, and the word "framed" (含, hán) suggests that the snowy peaks are like a natural landscape painting set within the window frame. The "boats from distant Wu" symbolize the restoration of north-south transportation, bringing hope for peace and stability. Though far from home, Du Fu holds onto the hope that he may soon return once travel routes are reopened.
Overall Appreciation
The poem unfolds through the shifting focus of Du Fu's gaze, with the first two lines depicting nearby scenes and the latter two lines capturing distant views. The poet paints a beautiful spring landscape around his thatched cottage in Chengdu, which also reflects his inner emotions. The first two lines, with their imagery of orioles, willows, egrets, and the blue sky, create a lively spring scene that mirrors Du Fu's relaxed mood. The latter two lines, through the snow-capped Western Hills and the boats from Wu, convey his hope for the end of war, the restoration of social stability, and his deep longing to return home. Though the poem is entirely focused on scenery, it subtly conveys Du Fu's complex emotions, embedding his feelings within the natural world.
Writing Characteristics
- Precise Parallelism, Vivid Colors: The poem presents four distinct scenes, each rich in color and layered meaning. The orioles and egrets, the willows and sky, the snowy hills and boats from Wu—all create vivid contrasts and strong visual imagery.
- Scene and Emotion Intertwined, Profound Imagery: The poet uses the natural scenery to express his inner feelings, revealing both his contentment with a peaceful life and his hope for stability and a return home.
- Concise Language, Subtle Depth: The words "framed" (含, hán) and "moored" (泊, bó) are particularly evocative. One captures the stillness of the mountains, the other the movement of the water, blending static beauty with underlying emotional turbulence.
Insights
This poem demonstrates Du Fu's ability to find joy in life and hope for peace, even in difficult circumstances. It reminds us that, no matter our situation, we can draw strength from nature and maintain a positive outlook. At the same time, the poet's reference to "boats from distant Wu" expresses his longing for home, urging us to cherish moments of reunion and appreciate the beauty in our lives.
Poem translator
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
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.
