Leave Me Not by Meng Jiao

I hold your robe lest you should go.
"Where are you going, dear, today?
Your late return brings me less woe
Than your heart being stolen away."

Original Poem:

「古别离」
欲别牵郎衣，郎今到何处？
不恨归来迟，莫向临邛去。

孟郊

Interpretation:

This poem portrays a woman's emotional turmoil and reluctance as she bids farewell to her lover, revealing her deep attachment to love and her inner anxieties.

First Couplet: "欲别牵郎衣，郎今到何处？"
(As we part, I grasp your sleeve and ask where you will go now?)
These two lines express the protagonist's anxiety and reluctance as she clutches her lover's clothing, symbolizing her unease about the imminent separation. Her urgent inquiry about his destination reveals her attachment and nervousness. Through this delicate action, the poet captures her complex inner world, filled with both longing and unspoken concerns.

Second Couplet: "不恨归来迟，莫向临邛去。"
(I do not resent your delayed return, but please do not go to Linqiong.)
These lines subtly unveil the protagonist's inner pain. She graciously expresses no resentment toward her lover's delayed return, but her underlying concern is revealed through her plea for him not to go to Linqiong. This indirect expression conveys her deep affection and fear of a possible rival, reflecting the woman's anxiety over a potential third party.

Writing Features

1. Delicate Emotional Depiction
   The poet uses the protagonist's actions (grasping his sleeve), words (asking his destination), and other details to delicately portray her complex emotions as she bids farewell. She shows both deep attachment to her lover and an underlying sense of unease and secret worries.
2. Cyclical and Subtle Expression
   The lines "欲别牵郎衣" and "不恨归来迟" create a cyclical structure that cleverly conveys the protagonist's conflicting emotions. While she feels reluctance, she also strives to express her concerns about her lover's future in a rational way. This cyclical expression adds layers to the emotional depth.
3. Implicit Yet Sincere Emotional Expression
   "不恨归来迟" is not simply an expression of tolerance, but a profound emotional sentiment. Through this seemingly plain yet deeply meaningful sentence, the poet conveys the protagonist's inner forbearance and love, with her concerns and requests subtly integrated, showcasing her sincere feelings.
4. Inner Conflict and Characterization
   The protagonist is caught in a strong inner conflict between wanting her lover to return quickly and not wanting him to go to Linqiong. While she expresses understanding and tolerance, she harbors deep concerns about possible betrayal. This emotional conflict and the characterization of the protagonist's personality are presented through concise language and delicate portrayal.
5. Concise Language and Rich Emotion
   The poem's language is succinct and clear, but through careful attention to detail and emotional depth, it leaves a lasting impression. In just a few lines, the poet conveys complex emotional layers, demonstrating skillful language usage.

Overall Appreciation

This poem, with its succinct language and delicate emotional expression, captures a woman's complex feelings as she bids farewell. Her attachment, anxiety, and deep love are vividly expressed through the portrayal of small details and subtle expressions. The poet’s unique way of presenting these emotions allows readers to feel the pain and forbearance of parting, while also showcasing the woman’s resilience and tenderness in love. Though brief, the poem is profound and leaves a lasting emotional impression.

Poem translator:

Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)

About the Poet:

Meng Jiao (孟郊) was born in 751 - 814 AD, a native of Deqing, Zhejiang Province. Meng Jiao's poems include more than 400 poems, most of which are about personal sorrows and loneliness, expressing cynicism, while some of them expose the social phenomenon of disparity between the rich and the poor, and sympathize with the people's suffering.