Hard times with famine spread ruins in our home town;
My brothers go their way east or west, up and down.
Battles have left the fields and gardens desolate;
By roadside wander families wars separate.
Like far-off wild geese over lonely shadows we weep,
As scattered rootless tumbleweed in autumn deep.
We should shed yearning tears to view the moon apart;
Though in five places, we have the same homesick heart.
Original Poem:
「望月有感」
白居易
时难年荒世业空， 弟兄羁旅各西东。
田园寥落干戈后， 骨肉流离道路中。
吊影分为千里雁， 辞根散作九秋蓬。
共看明月应垂泪， 一夜乡心五处同。
Interpretation:
This poem was written between the autumn of 799 and the spring of 800. During this time, Bai Juyi was living through a period of war and turmoil. The phrase "河南经乱" refers to the turmoil in Henan, where the Tang court sent troops to suppress a rebellion, leading to the devastation of homes and the separation of families. In these turbulent years, Bai Juyi used this poem to express his deep nostalgia for his homeland and family.
First line:“时难年荒世业空，弟兄羁旅各西东。”
(In times of hardship and chaotic years, the family business has long been abandoned; my brothers are scattered, each wandering in different directions.)
These lines straightforwardly convey the devastation brought by war, the collapse of the family business, and the dispersion of the poet’s brothers. Through simple narration, Bai Juyi vividly portrays the destruction of his home and the separation from his family, evoking a strong sense of reality.
Second line:“田园寥落干戈后，骨肉流离道路中。”
(After the war, the farmland lies desolate, and my relatives wander, scattered along the roads.)
This couplet describes the post-war ruin of the poet’s homeland and the dispersion of his family members, emphasizing the desolation and pain caused by the war. The terms "寥落" (desolate) and "流离" (wandering) hint at the loss of life, death, and the inability to return to a peaceful home.
Third line:“吊影分为千里雁，辞根散作九秋蓬。”
(My relatives are like geese flying a thousand miles apart, scattered; like autumn weeds with no roots, drifting aimlessly.)
Bai Juyi skillfully uses the images of "geese" and "autumn weeds" to vividly express the loneliness and separation between himself and his family. These metaphors convey the emotional isolation and helplessness caused by the war, emphasizing the human impact of such dislocation.
Fourth line:“共看明月应垂泪，一夜乡心五处同。”
(As we all gaze at the same moon from different places, our hearts are filled with tears of longing; no matter where we are, our homesickness is the same in this moment.)
In this line, the poet uses the moon, a traditional symbol of longing, to emphasize the emotional connection that transcends geographical distance. Although his brothers are in different places, they all look at the same moon and share the same homesick feelings, symbolizing the universal nature of longing. The moon becomes a vessel for their shared emotions.
Writing Characteristics
The poem opens with "时难年荒," directly invoking the suffering caused by war. Bai Juyi uses delicate metaphors such as "千里雁" (thousand-mile geese) and "九秋蓬" (autumn weeds) to vividly portray the separation of family members and the poet’s inner solitude. The language is simple yet profound; there are no ornate words, but the direct narration and precise metaphors powerfully convey strong emotions. Finally, the moon’s symbolism creates an emotional link across space, emphasizing the universality of homesickness.
Overall Analysis
This poem presents Bai Juyi's deep nostalgia for his homeland and family, set against the backdrop of war and destruction. The poem is emotionally rich, concise in language, and blends imagery with feeling. The progression from the "chaotic times" to the moon's symbol highlights the poet’s emotional journey. Through delicate descriptions and symbolic techniques, Bai Juyi effectively captures both the harsh reality and the deep emotional resonance of separation and longing. The poem is tightly structured and layered, revealing the poet’s endless yearning for home and family.
Insights
This poem reminds us that even in times of turmoil and separation, emotional connections can transcend time and space. Bai Juyi uses simple language and natural metaphors to express his deep feelings, teaching us that, in facing adversity, we can find ways to connect with others through thoughtful observation and sincere emotional expression. Moreover, the "moon" in the poem symbolizes a shared emotional experience, reminding us to cherish those around us, as our homes and families will always be with us, no matter where we are.
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.
