The Riverside Village by Du Fu

See the clear river wind by the village and flow!
We pass the long summer by riverside with ease.
The swallows freely come in and freely out go.
The gulls on water snuggle each other as they please.
My wife draws lines on paper to make a chessboard;
My son bends a needle into a fishing hook.
Ill, I need only medicine I can afford.
What else do I want for myself in my humble nook?

Original Poem:

「江村」
清江一曲抱村流，长夏江村事事幽。
自去自来堂上燕，相亲相近水中鸥。
老妻画纸为棋局，稚子敲针作钓钩。
但有故人供禄米，微躯此外更何求？

杜甫

Interpretation:

This poem was composed in the autumn of the second year of the Qianyuan era of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty (759 AD), during Du Fu's temporary stay at his thatched cottage in Chengdu after resigning from his position as a military advisor in Huazhou. Prior to this, Du Fu had endured the chaos of war, displacement, and poverty, living a life of hardship. Now, though dependent on the support of friends and living under their roof, he had found a brief period of stability. It was in this environment that Du Fu wrote this poem, using everyday details and pastoral scenes to express a rare sense of tranquility and contentment.

First Couplet: "清江一曲抱村流，长夏江村事事幽。"
Qīng jiāng yī qǔ bào cūn liú, cháng xià jiāng cūn shì shì yōu.
A clear river winds around the village, flowing gently; in the long summer days, everything in the riverside village feels serene and peaceful.

This couplet centers on the "clear river" and "riverside village," depicting the tranquil atmosphere of the village. The river flows around the village without disturbance, creating a scene of peace and harmony.

Second Couplet: "自去自来堂上燕，相亲相近水中鸥。"
Zì qù zì lái táng shàng yàn, xiāng qīn xiāng jìn shuǐ zhōng ōu.
Swallows freely come and go under the eaves, while white gulls on the water gather closely, accompanying one another.

These lines describe the activities of swallows and gulls, enhancing the sense of tranquility while reflecting the poet's relaxed and harmonious connection with nature.

Third Couplet: "老妻画纸为棋局，稚子敲针作钓钩。"
Lǎo qī huà zhǐ wéi qí jú, zhì zǐ qiāo zhēn zuò diào gōu.
My elderly wife sketches a chessboard on paper, while my young son taps a needle to make a fishing hook.

This couplet uses detailed descriptions to portray the warmth of family life. The wife and child are each occupied with their tasks, depicting the ordinary yet heartwarming routines of a humble household and reflecting the poet's inner peace.

Fourth Couplet: "但有故人供禄米，微躯此外更何求？"
Dàn yǒu gù rén gōng lù mǐ, wēi qū cǐ wài gèng hé qiú?
As long as old friends provide some grain, what more could this humble body desire?

The poem concludes with a rhetorical question, expressing the poet's contentment with his current life. Though "provided grain" hints at the hardships and dependence of his situation, the poet remains at ease, transforming adversity into a mindset of gratitude and contentment.

Overall Appreciation

This poem depicts a brief yet heartwarming scene of Du Fu's life at his thatched cottage in Chengdu, showcasing the poet's sense of contentment and detachment after enduring life's trials. The poem combines serene natural scenery with warm family moments, filled with the essence of everyday life. While the poet concludes with "what more could this humble body desire?", this contentment subtly carries a reflection on the impermanence of life and its hardships. Du Fu genuinely cherishes this tranquility, and his love for ordinary life shines through every line.

Writing Characteristics

• Tranquil and Natural Descriptions: The poet uses imagery such as the clear river winding around the village, swallows flitting under the eaves, and gulls gathering on the water to create a serene and idyllic rural atmosphere.
• Vivid and Charming Life Details: Scenes like the wife sketching a chessboard and the child making a fishing hook are intimate and natural, revealing the poet's appreciation for the warmth of family life.
• Deep and Subtle Emotion: While the poet appears content and at peace on the surface, the mention of "provided grain" hints at the underlying struggles of life, reflecting his thoughts on the nation's turmoil and his personal circumstances.

Insights

This poem demonstrates how the poet, even in difficult circumstances, found inner peace and contentment in the simplicity of everyday life. In the face of life's ups and downs, we can learn from Du Fu to cherish the warmth and tranquility of the present moment and find the true essence of life in its ordinary aspects. True happiness may not lie in how much we possess, but in the openness and gratitude of our hearts.

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.