Recalled together after an exile of ten years,
Again we're banished for long miles and say adieu.
We reappear but unlike our noble compeers;
Thrice in exile I feel I'm unworthy of you.
We watch returning wild geese till they're out of sight;
We're sad to hear the monkey wail with broken heart.
The Western River flows far from the Southern height.
Longing for each other, can we be kept apart?
Original Poem:
「再授连州至衡阳酬柳柳州赠别」
刘禹锡
去国十年同赴召，渡湘千里又分歧。
重临事异黄丞相，三黜名惭柳士师。
归目并随回雁尽，愁肠正遇断猿时。
桂江东过连山下，相望长吟有所思。
Interpretation:
This poem was written by Liu Yuxi in response to a farewell poem from Liu Zongyuan. It expresses Liu Yuxi's sadness and deep longing for his friendship with Liu Zongyuan during their parting, while also reflecting their shared experiences in the political turmoil they both faced. Through delicate descriptions and clever allusions, the poet showcases his complex emotions and helplessness towards fate.
First Couplet: "去国十年同赴召，渡湘千里又分歧。"
(I have been away from my homeland for ten years, and we once traveled together for our appointments, but now we must part ways again at the Xiang River.)
These two lines briefly summarize the political encounters and life paths of Liu Yuxi and Liu Zongyuan, highlighting how they were once friends and officials, yet fate separated them again. "Ten years away from my homeland" emphasizes their long period of exile, while "crossing the Xiang River and parting ways" uses a specific geographical setting to illustrate the regret of their separation due to political changes.
Second Couplet: "重临事异黄丞相，三黜名惭柳士师。"
(When I return, the situation is quite different. When Prime Minister Huang was alive, everything was clear, but I feel ashamed due to my three exiles.)
These lines use historical allusions to express the poet's self-mockery regarding his exiles and his respect for Liu Zongyuan. The poet contrasts his "return" with the era of Prime Minister Huang, implying both helplessness and humility. The "three exiles" reference highlights Liu Zongyuan’s own three exiles, suggesting that both poets suffered because of their outspoken criticism and insistence on justice, reflecting their shared fate.
Third Couplet: "归目并随回雁尽，愁肠正遇断猿时。"
(I gaze back at the returning wild geese, until they disappear beyond the horizon, and my sorrow intertwines with the intermittent cries of the apes.)
In these lines, the poet uses the natural imagery of "returning geese" and "broken apes" to emotionally convey the pain and helplessness he felt when parting from Liu Zongyuan. The phrase "until the geese disappear" expresses the depth of separation, while "my sorrow intertwines with the broken ape’s cry" adds a sense of melancholy and loss.
Fourth Couplet: "桂江东过连山下，相望长吟有所思。"
(The Gui River flows eastward past Lian Mountain, though we are separated by mountains and rivers, we still look toward each other and longingly recite poems of remembrance.)
These two lines combine reality with metaphor to show the spiritual connection between the two friends. The Gui River and Lian Mountain are not literal geographical connections but symbolize their deep emotional bond. The phrase "looking toward each other and reciting poems" reflects how the poet expresses his longing for his friend through poetry, illustrating their unwavering friendship, even in separation.
Writing Characteristics
- Clever use of allusions
The poet uses historical allusions, such as the references to Huang Ba and Liu Xiahui, to cleverly compare the fates of himself and Liu Zongyuan to those of historical figures. This not only deepens the historical depth of the poem but also adds a touch of irony and self-deprecation to the theme. - Profound symbolic meaning in natural imagery
The natural images of "returning geese," "broken apes," "Gui River," and "Lian Mountain" transcend mere physical descriptions. These images carry deep emotional significance, becoming symbols of the poet's feelings and imparting a more profound meaning to the poem. - Emotional depth and transition
The poet transitions from the initial narration to deep longing and sorrow, finally culminating in the expression of "looking toward each other and reciting poems," which adds layers to the emotional progression of the poem. The delicate emotional depiction shows both the pain of parting and the poet's steadfast devotion to friendship. - Combination of reality and metaphor
The poet skillfully blends reality with metaphor, describing both the physical landscapes and the emotional landscapes. This technique makes the poem more vivid, enhancing the emotional transmission and enriching the entire emotional experience, providing deeper layers to the poem.
Overall Appreciation
This poem, through delicate language and the clever use of allusions, demonstrates the deep friendship between Liu Yuxi and Liu Zongyuan and their shared experiences in political turbulence. The poet uses natural imagery and emotional progression to vividly express the sorrow of parting and the profound longing for his friend. At the same time, the use of the combination of reality and metaphor makes the poem emotionally richer, combining specific narration with symbolism and suggestion. This showcases the poet's superb artistic technique. This poem is not just a farewell to Liu Zongyuan but also a tribute to their steadfast, unyielding friendship.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Liu Yuxi(刘禹锡), 772 - 842 AD, was a native of Hebei. He was a progressive statesman and thinker in the middle of the Tang Dynasty, and a poet with unique achievements in this period. In his compositions, there is no lack of poems reflecting current affairs and the plight of the people.
