Doors locked, curtains drawn down, on the mossy ground,
In winding corridor alone I stroll around.
By lunar halo the rising wind is foretold.
How can the flowers bloom when drenched in dew cold?
I toss in bed when curtain's hit by a bat;
I am surprised to hear in the net squeak a rat.
Alone I talk with your shadow by the lamplight.
How can I help singing with you "Rising at Night"?
Original Poem:
「正月崇让宅」
李商隐
密锁重关掩绿苔，廊深阁迥此徘徊。
先知风起月含晕，尚自露寒花未开。
蝙拂帘旌终展转，鼠翻窗网小惊猜。
背灯独共馀香语，不觉犹歌起夜来。
Interpretation:
In the third year of Emperor Wenzong’s Kaicheng era (838 CE), Li Shangyin married the daughter of Wang Maoyuan, the military governor of Jingyuan. The couple shared a deep and loving bond. However, in the fifth year of the Dazhong era (851 CE), Wang tragically passed away, leaving Li Shangyin devastated. In January of the eleventh year of the Dazhong era (857 CE), Li returned to Chongrang Residence in Luoyang. Overcome with memories of his late wife, he composed "Night Rain Sent to the North" to express his sorrow and longing.
First Couplet:“密锁重关掩绿苔，廊深阁迥此徘徊。”
(The locked gates are veiled in green moss, exuding desolation; the deep corridors and distant pavilions are where I wander alone.)
The poet begins with a depiction of the deserted Chongrang Residence, using words like "locked" and "veiled in moss" to create a somber atmosphere, suggesting that past splendor has faded into memory. The description of "deep corridors" and "distant pavilions" not only highlights the emptiness of the place but also mirrors the poet’s feelings of solitude and despondency.
Second Couplet:“先知风起月含晕，尚自露寒花未开。”
(The moon, faintly haloed, signals the coming wind; the flowers remain unbloomed, soaked in cold dew.)
The cold and somber imagery of the moon and unopened flowers reflects the poet's melancholy. The "unbloomed flowers" correspond not only to the season but also to the poet's longing for warmth and vitality, emphasizing his emotional coldness and desolation.
Third Couplet:“蝙拂帘旌终展转，鼠翻窗网小惊猜。”
(Bats disturb the curtains as they dart past, keeping me restless; mice scurry across the window screens, making me startle in suspicion.)
Moving from the exterior to the interior, the poet vividly portrays the movements of bats and mice, using these small disturbances to underscore the stillness and loneliness of the residence. The words "restless" and "startle" reveal the poet’s unease and heightened sensitivity, reflecting his sorrowful state of mind.
Fourth Couplet:“背灯独共馀香语，不觉犹歌起夜来。”
*(In the shadow of the lamp, I murmur to the lingering scent as if speaking to you; unknowingly, I sing the tune of *Qi Ye Lai* aloud.)*
The poet describes his trance-like state, seemingly conversing with the remnants of his wife's presence. The mention of the song Qi Ye Lai—a reference to his late wife’s lament for his absence—intensifies the depth of his longing and sorrow. This couplet poignantly illustrates the poet's profound grief and undying love.
Writing Characteristics:
- Blending of Emotion and Setting: The desolate residence and chilly natural scenery vividly convey the poet’s sorrow and longing for his late wife.
- Progressive Narrative and Emotional Depth: The poem transitions from the external surroundings to the poet’s inner feelings, culminating in a deeply emotional climax that reflects his anguish and yearning.
- Concise Language and Rich Imagery: Phrases like "lingering scent" and references to Qi Ye Lai subtly hint at enduring love and the poet's reluctance to let go, showcasing his deep affection and grief.
Overall Appreciation:
Through detailed descriptions, this poem brings to life the desolation of Chongrang Residence and the poet’s profound sorrow and loneliness. While mourning his wife, the poet also conveys a subtle lamentation for the fleeting nature of life and the decay of once-thriving places. The final couplet, depicting a trance-like interaction with his wife’s lingering presence, reaches the emotional zenith of the poem. Seamlessly blending imagery and sentiment, the poem is a masterpiece of Tang-era elegy.
Inspiration:
This poem reminds us of the inevitability of time’s passage and the enduring power of love and memory. In moments of loss, people often find solace in reminiscing about the past. Li Shangyin’s heartfelt and evocative writing demonstrates that genuine emotion can transcend life and death, becoming immortalized in words and memories, leaving an eternal imprint on the hearts of readers.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Li Shangyin (李商隐), 813-858 AD, was a great poet of the late Tang Dynasty. His poems were on a par with those of Du Mu, and he was known as "Little Li Du". Li Shangyin was a native of Qinyang, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province. When he was a teenager, he lost his father at the age of nine, and was called "Zheshui East and West, half a century of wandering".
