Between the green willows the river flows along;
My gallant in a boat is heard to sing a song.
The west is veiled in rain, the east enjoys sunshine,
My gallant is as deep in love as the day is fine.
Original Poem:
「竹枝词 · 杨柳青青江水平」
刘禹锡
杨柳青青江水平，闻郎江上踏歌声。
东边日出西边雨，道是无晴却有晴。
Interpretation:
This poem is a work by the famous Tang Dynasty female poet Liu Yu-xi, depicting a scene in which a young girl waits by the river for her lover’s return on a spring day. Through delicate descriptions, the poem reveals the girl's expectations of love and the emotional changes she experiences, filled with the vitality of life and the romance of youth.
First Couplets: “杨柳青青江水平，闻郎江上踏歌声。”
(The willows are green by the riverbank, and the water is as calm as a mirror. Suddenly, the sound of my lover’s song comes from the river.)
These lines use the delicate natural imagery to convey the tranquility and freshness of a spring day. The green willows and the still river complement each other, creating a beautiful picture of spring. The poet uses this serene scene to reflect the girl’s mood as she waits in stillness. The sudden sound of her lover’s song breaks the silence, signaling the long-awaited reunion.
Second Couplets: “东边日出西边雨，道是无晴却有晴。”
(The sun rises in the east while it rains in the west; it is said to be cloudy, yet there is sunshine.)
These lines describe the unusual changes in the weather and cleverly employ a pun on “晴” (sunshine) and “情” (emotion) to show the complexity of the girl's emotions. "东边日出西边雨" (the sun rises in the east, rain falls in the west) reflects the changing spring weather, which mirrors the girl’s fluctuating feelings. Although there is some worry and doubt, when she hears her lover’s song, the cloudiness in her heart vanishes, and she feels bright and hopeful.
Literary Features:
- Combination of Natural Imagery and Emotion
The poet combines the beauty of the spring riverside scene—willows, river water—with the emotions of the character, creating a harmonious and beautiful atmosphere. The tranquility and tenderness of nature align with the girl’s expectations and emotions. - Clever Use of Wordplay
The wordplay between "晴" (sunshine) and "情" (emotion) is skillfully used. The change in weather, “东边日出西边雨,” intertwines the shifts in the girl’s emotions, revealing the complexity and unpredictability of her feelings. This wordplay adds interest and depth to the poem. - Subtle Depiction of Emotional Shifts
The poem delicately portrays the girl’s emotions—expectation, doubt, and joy—through her experience by the river in spring. She fears her lover may have changed but also deeply desires his return. The poet sensitively captures the inner turmoil and anticipation she feels.
Overall Analysis:
This poem presents a contrast between the serene spring landscape and the emotional fluctuations of the girl, capturing the themes of longing and doubt in love. Ultimately, her lover’s song alleviates her worries, bringing sunshine to her heart. The poet tightly connects the descriptions of nature with the changes in the girl’s emotions, showcasing both the beauty of nature and the subtle emotional shifts within her. Particularly, the phrase “道是无晴却有晴,” through wordplay, not only makes the emotions more vivid but also gives the poem a richer layered meaning.
Insights:
This poem teaches us that in love, there are often moments of expectation, doubt, and hope. Through delicate emotional descriptions, we can see how even a small change in the external world—a sound, a song—can ease inner worries, bringing warmth and anticipation. At the same time, the poet cleverly employs wordplay and natural imagery to give the poem deeper meaning and emotional resonance.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Liu Yuxi(刘禹锡), 772 - 842 AD, was a native of Hebei. He was a progressive statesman and thinker in the middle of the Tang Dynasty, and a poet with unique achievements in this period. In his compositions, there is no lack of poems reflecting current affairs and the plight of the people.
