You journey far, adrift with the river's flow,
a lone sail rising into the gathering night.
The spring wind carries the boatman's will—
just yesterday you came from Hanyang’s shore.
The parting path still stretches a thousand miles,
so let this final cup bear our parting grief.
Though leaves still cling to the trees at Shan Creek,
already you pass beyond—toward Mount Tiantai.
Original Poem
「润州送师弟自江夏往台州」
崔峒
远客乘流去，孤帆向夜开。
春风江上使，前日汉阳来。
别路犹千里，离心重一杯。
剡溪木未落，羡尔过天台。
Interpretation
This poem was composed by Cui Dong as he bid farewell to his junior fellow in Runzhou (modern Zhenjiang, Jiangsu), who was departing for Taizhou (in Zhejiang). Through the riverside parting scene, the poet conveys profound brotherly affection and reluctant separation. The journey from Jiangxia (modern Wuhan, Hubei) to Taizhou was long and arduous, yet Cui Dong captures both the springtime river scenery and the pangs of parting in just a few lines, while subtly expressing hopes for his junior’s future career. The poem is fresh and natural in style, delicate in emotion, showcasing Cui Dong’s signature blend of vivid scenery and heartfelt sentiment.
First Couplet: "远客乘流去，孤帆向夜开。"
Yuǎn kè chéng liú qù, gū fān xiàng yè kāi.
You, distant traveler, ride the current away;
A lone sail drifts into the night, sway by sway.
The opening lines paint a poignant farewell scene. The imagery of riding the current and lone sail evokes the solitude and resolve of the journey, while the night setting amplifies the melancholy of separation, mirroring the poet’s own reluctance to part.
Second Couplet: "春风江上使，前日汉阳来。"
Chūn fēng jiāng shàng shǐ, qián rì Hànyáng lái.
This river messenger, borne on spring’s breeze,
Just days ago from Hanyang came with ease.
Here, the river messenger (江上使) serves as a subtle link to the geographical context, revealing that the junior had arrived from Jiangxia. The spring breeze adds a seasonal and lyrical touch, enriching the scene’s emotional texture.
Third Couplet: "别路犹千里，离心重一杯。"
Bié lù yóu qiān lǐ, lí xīn zhòng yī bēi.
A thousand miles stretch ahead, vast and wide;
One more cup to hold our hearts side by side.
The emotional climax: a thousand miles underscores the journey’s length, while one more cup symbolizes the weight of unspoken feelings. The restraint here speaks volumes—deep emotion conveyed through quiet, shared moments.
Fourth Couplet: "剡溪木未落，羡尔过天台。"
Shàn xī mù wèi luò, xiàn ěr guò Tiāntāi.
Shanxi’s trees still cling to autumn’s hue;
How I envy your Tiantai Mountain view!
The poem closes with a turn toward admiration and blessing. The poet envies (羡) his junior’s chance to traverse Tiantai Mountain—a symbol of transcendent beauty—hinting at his own longing for such freedom while celebrating his friend’s new chapter.
Holistic Appreciation
This poem is refreshingly natural and sincere in its emotions. Its artistic conception moves from scene to sentiment, beginning with the image of a lone night sail to evoke the tender parting between brothers. Through an interplay of realism and lyrical imagery, the mood is gradually heightened—from "night unfolds" and "spring breeze" to "a thousand miles" and "Tiantai Mountain." Scenery carries emotion, and emotion inhabits the scenery. The final couplet concludes with a tone of admiration, expanding the poetic vision while avoiding the melancholy typical of farewell poems, infusing the parting with a sense of openness and ease.
Rather than dwelling on sorrow, the poet shifts focus through natural imagery and measured emotional transitions, revealing a warmth of mutual respect and encouragement between brothers, as well as a heart that finds clarity in letting go. This reflects Cui Dong’s signature style—"understated yet resonant, distant yet luminous."
Artistic Merits
The poem’s structure flows organically, its rhythm unhurried. It employs balanced couplets to seamlessly blend realism and lyricism. The opening lines, with "spring breeze" and "night sail," establish the temporal and spatial backdrop; the middle couplets deepen the emotional and journeying layers; and the final lines merge feeling and scene, showcasing the poet’s mastery of thematic control. Particularly striking is the line "Though the parting road stretches a thousand miles, / a shared cup makes the heart heavier"—a genuine, unforced expression of farewell, standing as a gem among parting verses.
Insights
This poem teaches us that in moments of separation, we can not only express heartfelt sorrow but also extend blessings and hope to those moving forward. Cui Dong does not linger in grief; instead, he turns to admire the "Tiantai Mountain" his friend will visit, infusing the farewell with natural lightness and a longing for an ideal life. It reminds us that life is like a voyage—partings and reunions alternate, yet through mutual goodwill and understanding, bonds endure.
About the Poet
Cui Dong (崔峒, dates of birth and death unknown), a Tang Dynasty poet from Anping, Hebei, was active during the Dali era (766 - 779). Along with Sikong Shu, Lu Lun and others, he was known as one of the "Ten Talents of Dali." His poetry primarily consists of five-character regulated verse (wulü), characterized by an elegant and subtle style. The Complete Tang Poems preserves 48 of his works. His poetic style resembles Liu Changqing's but appears more solitary and austere, reflecting the transition from the vigorous grandeur of High Tang poetry to the introspective quality of Dali-era verse.
