At roadside inn I pass the Winter Solstice Day
Clasping my knees, with my shadow in company.
I think, till dead of night my family would stay,
And talk about the poor lonely wayfaring me.
Original Poem:
「邯郸冬至夜思家」
白居易
邯郸驿里逢冬至，抱膝灯前影伴身。
想得家中夜深坐，还应说着远行人。
Interpretation:
This poem was written on the Winter Solstice night of the year 804 (the 20th year of Emperor Dezong’s Zhenyuan reign in the Tang Dynasty). Bai Juyi was 33 years old at the time, serving as a junior compiler in the Secretariat. On this day, which is traditionally meant for family reunions, Bai Juyi found himself alone in a post station in Handan. The poem conveys his deep longing for home and his imagined concern for his family during the festival.
First Couplet:“邯郸驿里逢冬至，抱膝灯前影伴身。”
(At the Handan post station on Winter Solstice, I sit alone hugging my knees, with only my shadow for company under the lamp.)
The opening couplet paints a vivid picture of the poet’s solitude in a foreign land. The Winter Solstice, typically a time for family gatherings, contrasts with the poet’s loneliness as he sits by the dim lamplight, his shadow the only companion. This imagery subtly reflects his inner feelings of isolation and homesickness.
Second Couplet:“想得家中夜深坐，还应说着远行人。”
(I imagine my family sitting late into the night, likely speaking of the one who is far away on a journey—me.)
The second couplet conveys the poet’s longing for home through an imagined scene. He envisions his family, deep into the night, gathered and speaking about him, who is far from home. This imaginative depiction amplifies the depth of his homesickness and adds a poignant realism to his emotions. Through this indirect portrayal, the poet effectively conveys his care for his family and the loneliness of being away from them.
Writing Features
The poem is characterized by its simplicity and sincerity. Without ornate language, it expresses the poet’s profound loneliness and longing for home through delicate narration and vivid imagination. By juxtaposing his own solitude with the imagined warmth of his family’s conversation, the poet naturally reveals his deep emotions. The second couplet, in particular, stands out for its subtlety, as it portrays homesickness through the imagined dialogue of family members rather than direct statements, immersing readers in the poet’s emotional world.
Overall Appreciation
This poem, with its straightforward narrative and imagination, vividly captures the solitude of a traveler on Winter Solstice and his yearning for home. Without elaborate rhetoric or complex structure, the poet uses plain language to evoke genuine emotion. The first couplet sets the scene with a lonely image, while the second couplet, through the imagined words of family members, highlights his deep affection for them. Though brief, the poem is rich in feeling and detail, evoking strong resonance in the reader.
Reflection
This poem highlights a universal emotion—the solitude and longing for home experienced by those far from family during festivals. For modern readers, this sentiment remains relatable, especially for those away from home during special occasions. The poem reminds us that no matter where we are, the care and thoughts of family members are always with us.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Bai Juyi (白居易), 772-846 AD, was originally from Taiyuan, then moved to Weinan in Shaanxi. Bai Juyi was the most prolific poet of the Tang Dynasty, with poems in the categories of satirical oracles, idleness, sentimentality, and miscellaneous rhythms, and the most influential poet after Li Bai Du Fu.
