Solitary at the tavern,
I am shut in with loneliness and grief.
Under the cold lamp, I brood on the past;
I am kept awake by a lost wildgoose.
...Roused at dawn from a misty dream,
I read, a year late, news from home --
And I remember the moon like smoke on the river
And a fisher-boat moored there, under my door.
Original Poem
「旅宿」
杜牧
旅馆无良伴，凝情自悄然。
寒灯思旧事，断雁警愁眠。
远梦归侵晓，家书到隔年。
沧江好烟月，门系钓鱼船。
Interpretation
"A Night at a Tavern" was written by Du Mu during his travels, though the exact date is unknown. Staying at an inn in a foreign land, the poet found himself in a state of loneliness and was moved by the scenery to reflect on his longing for home and family. While the poem does not explicitly mention the hardships of travel, its lines are filled with the melancholy of a wanderer and a deep sense of homesickness.
First Couplet: "旅馆无良伴，凝情自悄然。"
Lǚguǎn wú liáng bàn, níng qíng zì qiǎorán.
At the inn, I have no companion to share my thoughts; lost in contemplation, I feel a quiet sadness.
The opening lines directly express the poet's loneliness. The phrase "no companion" (无良伴) highlights the isolation of travel, while "lost in contemplation" (凝情自悄然) conveys the poet's introspective and melancholic state. This sets the tone for the poem, establishing a mood of quiet sorrow.
Second Couplet: "寒灯思旧事，断雁警愁眠。"
Hán dēng sī jiù shì, duàn yàn jǐng chóu mián.
By the cold lamp, I reminisce about the past; the cry of a lone goose startles my troubled sleep.
This couplet blends scene and emotion. The "cold lamp" (寒灯) symbolizes the poet's inner loneliness and the chill of the night, while the "cry of a lone goose" (断雁) serves as both a real sound and a metaphor for the poet's own sense of displacement and longing for home. The imagery evokes a sense of unease and sorrow, deepening the emotional resonance of the poem.
Third Couplet: "远梦归侵晓，家书到隔年。"
Yuǎn mèng guī qīn xiǎo, jiā shū dào gé nián.
My distant dream of returning home lingers until dawn, but a letter from home takes a year to arrive.
Here, Du Mu contrasts the fleeting nature of dreams with the harsh reality of separation. In his dreams, he can return home easily, but in reality, communication with his family is slow and infrequent. The phrase "a year to arrive" (到隔年) emphasizes the difficulty of staying connected with loved ones while traveling, heightening the sense of isolation and longing.
Fourth Couplet: "沧江好烟月，门系钓鱼船。"
Cāng jiāng hǎo yān yuè, mén xì diào yú chuán.
The misty moon over the vast river is beautiful, but I can only gaze at the fishing boat tied at the inn's gate.
In the final couplet, Du Mu uses the beauty of the natural world to underscore his own sense of displacement. The "misty moon" (烟月) and the "vast river" (沧江) create a serene and picturesque scene, but the poet's focus on the "fishing boat" (钓鱼船) tied at the gate symbolizes his longing for stability and home. The boat, stationary and secure, contrasts with the poet's own restless and transient state.
Overall Appreciation
This poem captures the profound loneliness and homesickness of a traveler far from home.
The first couplet establishes the poet's isolation and quiet sadness, setting the emotional tone for the rest of the poem. The second couplet deepens this sense of melancholy, using the cold lamp and the cry of a lone goose to evoke a mood of unease and longing.
The third couplet introduces a poignant contrast between the ease of returning home in dreams and the difficulty of staying connected in reality. This contrast highlights the poet's deep yearning for home and the painful reality of separation.
The final couplet uses the beauty of the natural world to underscore the poet's sense of displacement. The serene scene of the misty moon and the vast river serves as a backdrop for the poet's longing for stability, symbolized by the fishing boat tied at the inn's gate.
Throughout the poem, Du Mu masterfully blends scene and emotion, using vivid imagery to convey the inner world of a lonely traveler. The poem's quiet, reflective tone and its focus on the small details of life at the inn create a powerful sense of intimacy and emotional depth.
Writing Characteristics
- Blending Scene and Emotion
Du Mu uses natural imagery, such as the cold lamp, the lone goose, and the misty moon, to evoke the inner world of the traveler, creating a seamless blend of scene and emotion. - Contrast Between Dreams and Reality
The contrast between the ease of returning home in dreams and the difficulty of staying connected in reality highlights the poet's deep sense of longing and isolation. - Symbolism and Metaphor
The fishing boat tied at the inn's gate serves as a powerful symbol of stability and home, contrasting with the poet's own transient state. - Subtle and Reflective Tone
The poem's quiet, introspective tone and its focus on small, everyday details create a sense of intimacy and emotional resonance.
Insights
This poem offers a profound meditation on the experience of loneliness and the longing for home. Du Mu's reflections on the difficulties of staying connected with loved ones while traveling resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced the pain of separation.
The poem also highlights the importance of stability and belonging in human life. The fishing boat, tied securely at the inn's gate, symbolizes the poet's longing for a place of rest and security, a home where he can find peace and connection.
Ultimately, "Lodging at an Inn" is a powerful reminder of the enduring human need for connection and the deep emotional impact of separation. It encourages us to cherish the moments we have with loved ones and to seek out the stability and security that make life meaningful.
Poem translator
Kiang Kanghu
About the poet
Du Mu (杜牧), 803-853 AD, was a native of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. Among the poets of the Late Tang Dynasty, he was one of those who had his own characteristics, and later people called Li Shangyin and Du Mu as "Little Li and Du". His poems are bright and colorful.
