They say that wildgeese, flying southward,
Here turn back, this very month...
Shall my own southward journey
Ever be retraced, I wonder?
...The river is pausing at ebb-tide,
And the woods are thick with clinging mist --
But tomorrow morning, over the mountain,
Dawn will be white with the plum-trees of home.
Original Poem:
「送别杜审言」
宋之问
卧病人事绝，嗟君万里行。
河桥不相送，江树远含情。
别路追孙楚，维舟吊屈平。
可惜龙泉剑，流落在丰城。
Interpretation:
This is a farewell poem written by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Shenyan. The poet, bedridden due to illness and cut off from contact with the outside world, hears about the departure of a friend and is filled with sorrow. Through the use of historical allusions, the poem profoundly expresses the poet's regret over the separation from his friend, his reflections on the changing tides of society, and his frustration with the unfulfilled potential of his own fate and talents.
- "卧病人事绝，嗟君万里行"
I lie ill in bed, severed from the affairs of the world, and upon hearing of your journey, I am filled with sorrow.
The opening line directly expresses the poet's physical isolation due to illness and emotional separation from the world. Upon learning of his friend's departure, the poet is overwhelmed with melancholy. The use of "嗟" (sigh) conveys the deep sorrow and the poet's frustration at not being able to personally bid his friend farewell. - "河桥不相送，江树远含情"
Though I cannot personally see you off at the river bridge, the bridge still bears witness to my feelings, and the trees by the river seem to express the emotions of parting.
In this couplet, the poet imagines nature sharing in his sorrow. Unable to send off his friend physically due to illness, the poet uses the imagery of the river bridge and the trees to symbolize the emotional connection and the unspoken farewell. The blending of personal emotion and natural scenery gives the poem an emotional depth. - "别路追孙楚，维舟吊屈平"
Your journey reminds me of the fates of Sun Chu and Qu Yuan, both of whom suffered due to the turbulent political world.
This line deepens the emotional resonance by incorporating historical allusions. The poet compares his friend’s journey to that of Sun Chu and Qu Yuan, both figures whose tragic fates were shaped by the political upheavals of their time. These allusions underscore the poet’s sympathy for his friend's circumstances and his own frustration with the instability of the political and social world. - "可惜龙泉剑，流落在丰城"
It is a pity that the Dragon Spring sword, once a mighty weapon, now lies abandoned in Fengcheng, like a hero whose talents go unrecognized.
The final couplet utilizes the historical story of the Dragon Spring sword to symbolize a talented individual whose potential is wasted. The poet connects this image to his friend, expressing regret that his friend’s talents are not being put to good use. At the same time, the poet expresses a subtle hope that his friend’s capabilities will be recognized and utilized in the future.
Stylistic Features
- Rich Emotional Layers
The poet uses historical allusions, natural imagery, and personal emotions to gradually reveal the complexities of his inner world. The emotional tone evolves from loss and regret to hope for the future, creating a multi-layered emotional experience throughout the poem. - Use of Historical Allusions to Add Depth
The poem cleverly incorporates historical figures like Sun Chu and Qu Yuan, using their tragic fates to reflect on the poet's own feelings and the uncertain destiny of his friend. The allusions not only enrich the historical context but also amplify the poet’s emotional expression. - Symbolic Role of Nature
The poet imbues natural elements like the river bridge and trees with symbolic meaning. These elements do not merely serve as background; they carry the poet’s emotions, showcasing his skill in merging nature with personal sentiment to create a sense of "emotional resonance."
Overall Appreciation
"Lying Ill, Severed from the Affairs of the World" is a poignant reflection on the poet’s personal sorrow, his sympathy for his friend’s plight, and his contemplation of the broader societal and political forces. The use of historical allusions, the blending of natural imagery, and the layering of emotions create a poem that is both deeply personal and resonantly universal. Through this work, the poet expresses both his deep sadness and a faint hope for the future, while also demonstrating his literary talent and mastery of symbolism.
Insights
This poem teaches us that in the face of life’s uncertainties and the shifting tides of fate, feelings of unrecognized talent and sympathy for others are often intertwined. By using historical allusions, the poet encourages us to reflect on how we might maintain our convictions in difficult times and ultimately realize our potential. The poet’s skillful use of nature’s symbolism also provides us with a valuable artistic technique, showing how to harmoniously combine emotions and scenery in writing.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the Poet:
Song Zhiwen (宋之问), 656-712 A.D., was a native of Fenyang, Shanxi, and it is also said that he was a native of Lingbao, Henan. He was admitted as a jinshi in 675 AD. At the time of Wu Zetian, he was a courtier with literary talent and was quite favored. Later, he was convicted for befriending Zhang Yi Zhi and was relegated to the rank of senator in Takizhou. In 708 A.D., he was transferred to the rank of "Examining Officer" and became a bachelor of Xiuwenkuan with Du Shenyan and Xue Ji, but he was also relegated to the rank of "Chief Historian of Yuezhou" on the charge of accepting a bribe. In 710 AD, he was exiled to Qinzhou. In 710, he was exiled to Qinzhou. Emperor Xuanzong gave him death in 712 AD. He had a collection of Song Zhiwen.
