Up the mountain I'd force myself to go,
But nobody would bring me wine around.
Chrysanthemums of my homeland should blow
To beautify the far-off battleground.
Original Poem:
「行军九日思长安故园」
岑参
强欲登高去，无人送酒来。
遥怜故园菊，应傍战场开。
Interpretation:
Cen Can's five-character quatrain seems on the surface to describe the scene of ascending heights and drinking wine during the Double Ninth Festival. However, it profoundly conveys the poet's deep concern for the state of the nation and his empathy for the suffering of the people amidst the chaos of war. The poem reflects the far-reaching impact of the An Lushan Rebellion on society and the lives of ordinary people.
First Couplet:“强欲登高去，无人送酒来。”
(Forcing myself to ascend the heights in line with the Double Ninth custom, yet no one comes to bring wine as they once did.)
The poet introduces the theme through the act of “ascending heights,” highlighting the bleakness of war with the word “forcing.” The absence of someone to bring wine accentuates the loneliness and desolation of the festival.
Second Couplet:“遥怜故园菊，应傍战场开。”
(I pity the chrysanthemums in my distant homeland, which must now bloom in solitude beside the battlefield.)
The poet uses “distant” to evoke the vast separation and deep yearning for home. The chrysanthemums of the homeland symbolize longing, while the phrase “beside the battlefield” reveals the turmoil of war and reflects the poet’s concern for the suffering of the people.
Literary Features
- Fusion of Emotion and Scene, Symbolism:
By focusing on the customs of the Double Ninth Festival, such as ascending heights and drinking chrysanthemum wine, the poet uses the image of chrysanthemums to express his profound anxiety over the chaos of war and his sympathy for the people's hardships. The blending of emotion and scene is subtle and poignant. - Skillful Transition, Lingering Depth:
The poem transitions from the personal sorrow of “no one brings wine” to the broader concern for the nation through the image of “chrysanthemums beside the battlefield.” This shift from private to public emotions broadens the scope of the poem, while the understated final line leaves a lasting impression, enriching its thematic depth. - Festive Tradition Merged with Real-World Concerns:
The poem intertwines the traditions of the Double Ninth Festival with the harsh realities of wartime, grounding its content in everyday life while endowing it with profound historical significance.
Overall Analysis
This quatrain uses the backdrop of the Double Ninth Festival’s customs to begin with the personal melancholy of “no one brings wine,” before transitioning to a reflection on the harsh realities of war. The poet’s longing for home and his concern for the suffering caused by conflict are intertwined, creating a seamless flow between personal and public sentiments. The vivid imagery of the closing line, “chrysanthemums bloom beside the battlefield,” captures both the tragedy of war and the poet's deep worry, showcasing Cen Can’s awareness of the plight of the people and his concern for the state of the nation.
Insights
Through this poem, Cen Can reveals the pain of separation and chaos caused by war while expressing deep sympathy for the suffering of the people and a longing for national stability. His reflections resonate with modern readers, inspiring us to remain attentive to social realities and compassionate toward those affected by hardship.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Cen Can(岑参), 715 - 770 AD, was a native of Jingzhou, Hubei Province. He studied at Mt. Songshan when he was young, and later traveled to Beijing, Luoyang and Shuohe. Cen Shen was famous for his border poems, in which he wrote about the border scenery and the life of generals in a majestic and unrestrained manner, and together with Gao Shi, he was an outstanding representative of the border poetry school of the Sheng Tang Dynasty.
