Bamboo Branch Song VII by Liu Yuxi

From beach to beach the torrent splashes down its way;
It's hard to sail in the Three Gorges since olden day.
But human heart is more dangerous than a whirlpool;
You may be drowned in it though it seems calm and cool.

Original Poem:

「竹枝词九首 · 其七」
瞿塘嘈嘈十二滩，此中道路古来难。
长恨人心不如水，等闲平地起波澜。

刘禹锡

Interpretation:

This poem was written in the second year of Emperor Muzong’s Changqing era (822) when Liu Yuxi served as the governor of Kuizhou. He composed a set of Nine Bamboo Branch Songs, drawing on local folk song styles to portray the customs and landscapes of Kuizhou. Among these, this particular poem not only highlights the perilous nature of the Qutang Gorge but also conveys profound life philosophies, using vivid metaphors to allude to the changes and unpredictability of life.

First Couple: “瞿塘嘈嘈十二滩，此中道路古来难。”
(The twelve rapids of Qutang Gorge are noisy with crashing waters; the roads here have always been difficult since ancient times.)
The poet uses a simple and direct style to depict the tumultuous waters of Qutang Gorge, emphasizing its natural dangers. The phrase "嘈嘈" vividly recreates the sound of rushing waters, while "古来难" indicates that the gorge has long been a treacherous path. The description is not only realistic but also serves as a metaphor for the hardships of life, symbolizing difficult and perilous journeys.

Second Couple: “长恨人心不如水，等闲平地起波澜。”
(I long regret that the human heart is not like water, which can remain calm; instead, it easily stirs up waves even in peaceful places.)
Here, the poet compares the human heart to water, expressing disappointment in its unpredictability. While water, no matter how turbulent, can eventually calm, the human heart is fickle and prone to causing trouble even in moments of peace. This couplet uses nature to convey a deeper insight into human nature—highlighting the volatility of people’s emotions and actions, and subtly critiquing society’s fickle, unreliable nature.

Poetic Features:

1. Folk Song Style: The poem uses simple, accessible language, giving it a lively and colloquial feel, making it easy to understand and relatable.
2. Plain Sketching Technique: The first two lines vividly describe the dangerous terrain of Qutang Gorge in a concise and powerful manner, creating a vivid visual image.
3. Profound Metaphors: The latter two lines compare the human heart to water, providing a clear and meaningful metaphor that deepens the philosophical essence of the poem.
4. Balanced Antithesis: The line “长恨人心不如水，等闲平地起波澜” has a smooth, rhythmic structure with perfect antithesis, making it easy to memorize and recite.

Overall Appreciation:

The poem begins by describing the dangerous waters of Qutang Gorge, using the natural environment as a springboard to discuss the unpredictable changes in human life. Through the contrast between the turbulent water and the fickle human heart, the poet reflects on the volatility of both the natural world and human emotions. Despite the turmoil of the waters, they eventually calm, while human hearts rarely find peace and often stir conflict. The poem’s language is concise and brisk, with a strong folk song flavor. It not only paints the danger of the Three Gorges but also offers a deeper meditation on life’s uncertainties and the unpredictable nature of human affairs.

Insights:

This poem reminds us that the greatest dangers in life do not just lie in the physical challenges we face, but in the unpredictability of the human heart. While waters may surge, they eventually calm; human hearts, however, are often stirred by selfish desires, creating turbulence where none should exist. The poet’s message is clear: though the path of life may be treacherous, we must remain vigilant against the coldness of human nature and maintain inner clarity and peace in order to navigate the journey ahead.

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.