When tired of breaking willow branch before my bower,
I pluck at leisure by poolside the lotus flower.
I cannot find your face when I ride on my horse,
But hear the cloud echo war cries of combat force.
Original Poem:
「秋思赠远二首 · 其二」
王涯
厌攀杨柳临清阁，闲采芙蕖傍碧潭。
走马台边人不见，拂云堆畔战初酣。
Interpretation:
This poem was also written during the reign of Emperor Muzong of Tang when the author, Wang Ya, served as the Military Governor of Dongchuan, stationed at the frontier and separated from his wife for a long period. Through expressing his deep longing for his wife, the poem demonstrates Wang Ya's loyalty and internal conflict.
First Couplets:“厌攀杨柳临清阁，闲采芙蕖傍碧潭。”
(Tired of pulling the willows near the pavilion to bid farewell, I casually pluck the lotus flowers by the clear pond.)
The poet expresses his intense aversion to farewells through the word “厌” (tired of). Willows are traditional symbols of parting, which naturally evoke feelings of sorrow. Despite his attempt to avoid the sadness by going to the clear pond to pluck lotuses, he is still touched by the beauty of the flowers, as if seeing his wife’s image reflected in them. This reveals the poet's inner conflict and helplessness.
Second Couplets:“走马台边人不见，拂云堆畔战初酣。”
(The old acquaintance by the cavalry platform is no longer seen, while the battle near the cloud-piled hills is in full swing.)
This couplet shifts the focus to the military duties and responsibilities at the border. The poet redirects his anxiety toward the state affairs, indicating that, though he misses his wife, he must prioritize his national duty as a frontier general. The phrase “战初酣” (the battle is in its early peak) emphasizes the urgency of state affairs, and the poet attempts to suppress his personal longing, reflecting his sense of responsibility both to his family and to his country.
Literary Features
- Intertwining Longing and Responsibility
The poet expresses his escape from parting sadness through “厌攀杨柳” and “闲采芙蕖,” but is unable to truly rid himself of the sorrow, as his longing remains omnipresent. When shifting to “走马台边人不见，拂云堆畔战初酣,” the poet uses national affairs to suppress personal emotions, showing the complex interaction between personal longing and a sense of duty. - Use of Contrast and Reversal
The poet first describes the sorrow of parting, using “杨柳” and “芙蕖” to present delicate emotions, before shifting focus to state matters with “走马台” and “战初酣,” creating a stark contrast. This reversal of emotional focus makes the expression of feelings more rich and profound. - Fusion of Emotion and Scene
The poet combines specific images such as willows and lotuses with emotional reflections on missing his wife and home. When focusing on his duty, he uses expansive settings like “走马台” and “拂云堆畔,” transitioning from personal sorrow to a grand, national-scale responsibility, resulting in a dramatic shift in the poem's emotional scope.
Overall Appreciation:
The poem juxtaposes delicate emotions with grand scenes, showcasing Wang Ya's conflicted feelings of missing his wife and his sense of responsibility as a frontier general. The first two lines express the poet’s deep affection for his wife and his emotional struggle, while the latter two shift to national concerns, emphasizing the poet’s duty to his country. The transition from “杨柳” and “芙蕖” to “走马台” and “战初酣” tightly intertwines longing and responsibility, reflecting the poet’s complex emotions and highlighting his ability to blend personal feelings with his national obligations.
Insights:
This poem teaches us how to handle the balance between personal emotions and social responsibility in life. The poet’s transitions between deep affection and duty exemplify the greatness of responsibility and the depth of personal emotion. It shows us how to maintain clear judgment and brave commitment amidst complex emotional landscapes.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the Poet:
Wang Ya (王涯), 764 - 835 A.D., a Tang dynasty poet from Taiyuan, Shanxi. He was highly knowledgeable and excelled in literary composition. In 792 AD, Wang Ya passed the imperial civil service examination for jinshi (advanced scholars) and later succeeded in the prestigious Hongci examination.
