You have left me behind, old friend, at the Yellow Crane Terrace,
On your way to visit Yang-chou in the misty month of flowers;
Your sail, a single shadow, becomes one with the blue sky,
Till now I see only the river, on its way to heaven.
Original Poem
「送孟浩然之广陵」
李白
故人西辞黄鹤楼， 烟花三月下扬州。
孤帆远影碧空尽， 惟见长江天际流。
Interpretation
In the 13th year of Emperor Xuanzong's Kaiyuan era (725 AD), Li Bai departed from Sichuan through the Three Gorges and resided in Anlu, Hubei for ten years, where he befriended Meng Haoran, who lived in seclusion at Deer Gate Mountain in Xiangyang. This poem was composed when Li Bai bid farewell to Meng Haoran at Yellow Crane Tower as his friend journeyed eastward to Yangzhou.
First Couplet: "故人西辞黄鹤楼，烟花三月下扬州。"
Gù rén xī cí Huáng Hè Lóu, yān huā sān yuè xià Yáng Zhōu.
My old friend leaves Yellow Crane Tower westbound, through March's misty blossoms to Yangzhou down.
The opening lines naturally establish the time, place, and destination of the parting without artificial embellishment. "Misty blossoms of March" not only depicts the season but also captures the enchanting spring scenery of Jiangnan. The poet's description reflects both the vibrant beauty of the season and his longing for the prosperous city Meng Haoran is about to visit.
Second Couplet: "孤帆远影碧空尽，惟见长江天际流。"
Gū fān yuǎn yǐng bì kōng jìn, wéi jiàn Cháng Jiāng tiān jì liú.
His lonely sail vanishes in blue emptiness, leaving just the Long River flowing to heaven's edge.
Through natural imagery, these lines masterfully convey the melancholy of farewell. The poet watches from the riverbank as his friend's boat recedes into the horizon where sky meets water, with only the endless Yangtze remaining. This visual metaphor expresses both the loneliness of the journey and the poet's profound attachment, while subtly contemplating life's inevitable separations.
Critical Appreciation
With concise language and profound imagery, the poem blends farewell melancholy with affectionate admiration for the journey. The first couplet's scenic beauty contrasts with the second's expansive vista of departure, deepening the emotional resonance. Though brief, the work achieves perfect harmony between scene and sentiment, radiating sincere friendship.
Stylistic Features
- Economical realism: Simple descriptions carry deep emotion, balancing farewell sorrow with wanderlust
- Landscape symbolism: The "lonely sail" and "endless river" create spatial grandeur while representing life's perpetual journey
- Temporal contrast: Vibrant spring imagery juxtaposed with the solemnity of parting
Insights
Transcending mere farewell verse, the poem meditates on life's transient connections. Like the ceaseless Yangtze, human relationships flow through cycles of meeting and separation. Li Bai's restrained tone suggests wisdom in cherishing moments together while accepting parting with grace - a lesson resonating through time about embracing life's impermanent beauty.
Poem translator:
Kiang Kanghu
About the poet
Li Bai (李白), 701 - 762 A.D., whose ancestral home was in Gansu, was preceded by Li Guang, a general of the Han Dynasty. Tang poetry is one of the brightest constellations in the history of Chinese literature, and one of the brightest stars is Li Bai.
