Ten long, long winters in northern town I did stay;
My heart cried out for my southern home night and day.
Now as I cross the river, farther north I roam;
My heart cries out for northern town as for my home.
Original Poem:
「旅次朔方」
刘皂
客舍并州已十霜，归心日夜忆咸阳。
无端更渡桑干水，却望并州是故乡。
Interpretation:
This poem, written by Liu Zhao, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, portrays the complex emotions of the poet as he embarks on his journey back to his hometown of Xianyang after ten years of living in Bingzhou. The longing for his hometown runs through the poem, but his prolonged stay in Bingzhou has also left him with deep feelings for the place. During his journey, as he crosses the Sanggan River, the poet expresses a poignant mixture of affection for both his hometown and the land where he once resided.
First Couplet:“客舍并州已十霜，归心日夜忆咸阳。”
(Ten years have passed in Bingzhou as a guest; day and night, my heart longs for my hometown, Xianyang.)
This couplet conveys the poet's profound yearning for his homeland. After a decade of life in a foreign place, his longing for Xianyang grows stronger, revealing an eagerness to return.
Second Couplet:“无端更渡桑干水，却望并州是故乡。”
(Once again I cross the Sanggan River; unexpectedly, I glance back at Bingzhou and see it as my second home.)
This couplet illustrates the poet's conflicting emotions during his journey home. Although his heart is set on Xianyang, the life he lived in Bingzhou has cultivated a sense of attachment, making it feel like a second hometown.
Writing Features
- Simple Language, Genuine Emotions: The poem employs straightforward language to convey profound emotions, drawing readers in with its authenticity.
- Subtle Depiction of Emotional Conflict: It delicately portrays the poet's inner turmoil—his love for his homeland and his unexpected affection for Bingzhou—creating layers of meaning.
- Implicit Yet Expressive: While the poet does not directly speak of the hardships of his decade-long sojourn, phrases like “无端更渡” (crossing the river again) and “却望并州” (glancing back at Bingzhou) subtly reveal his melancholic feelings and inner struggles.
Overall Appreciation
The first couplet vividly expresses the poet’s intense homesickness after ten years in Bingzhou, with raw and heartfelt emotion. The second couplet shifts the focus to the poet’s journey home, revealing his complex feelings as he glances back at Bingzhou, realizing it has become a part of him. This shift from a singular longing for home to an intertwined attachment to two places reflects the depth of the poet’s experiences and emotions. The poem’s richness lies in its transition from homesickness to a more nuanced reflection on belonging and memory.
Insights
The poem highlights the emotional complexity of those who have lived away from their hometowns, showcasing the bittersweet attachment that grows over time to their adopted homes. It serves as a reminder that while we pursue our aspirations and seek a sense of belonging, the places we inhabit inevitably leave a mark on our hearts. Liu Zhao's genuine yet melancholic expression resonates with the modern reader, offering a timeless understanding of the intricate emotions of longing, attachment, and self-discovery.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Liu Zao (刘皂), 785 - 805 A.D., was a poet of the Tang Dynasty, a native of Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, whose life is not known. Five of his poems are recorded in the Quan Tang Shi (All Tang Poetry).
