Farewell to Wei the Second by Wang Chang-ling

Drunk, we leave the wine shop sweetened with orange blooms;
The breeze brings in your boat the rain casting cold glooms.
When steeped in moonlight far away in Southern streams,
You would be grieved to hear monkeys' wail in your dreams.

Original Poem:

「送魏二」
醉别江楼橘柚香，江风引雨入舟凉。
忆君遥在潇湘月，愁听清猿梦里长。

王昌龄

Interpretation:

This poem was written by the Tang Dynasty poet Wang Chang-ling, depicting the scene of his farewell with his friend Wei Er. Through the use of blending the real and the imagined, the poet conveys the deep sorrow and reluctant separation experienced during the farewell.

1. First Couplet:
   "醉别江楼橘柚香，江风引雨入舟凉。"
   Drunkenly bidding farewell on the river tower, with the scent of oranges and pomelos filling the air; the river wind carries rain into the boat, bringing a chill.
   This line expresses the farewell emotions through scenery. The fragrance of the citrus fruits creates an elegant, warm atmosphere at the river tower, while the river wind brings in fine rain, inducing a sense of coldness, which subtly hints at the sadness of parting.
2. Second Couplet:
   "忆君遥在潇湘月，愁听清猿梦里长。"
   I imagine you far away under the moon of Xiao and Xiang, listening to the long cry of the lonely ape in my dreams, filled with sorrow.
   This couplet transitions to memory and imagination, turning the sorrow of farewell into the poet's melancholic thoughts. The scene of the friend traveling alone in the moonlight adds an element of fantasy, reinforcing the endless sorrow and loneliness.

Writing Features

1. Blending Reality with Imagination
   The poem combines real and imagined elements: the first two lines are vivid descriptions of the environment, setting the mood for the farewell, while the latter two lines are based on imagined scenes that extend the emotional landscape, allowing the poet’s deep feelings to resonate further. The juxtaposition of reality and imagination heightens the emotional depth, making the sorrow of separation more poignant and complex.
2. Delicate Imagery
   The poet’s use of sensory details—such as the fragrance of citrus fruits, the touch of the river wind, and the imagined sound of the ape’s cry—creates a rich and immersive atmosphere. These images enhance the emotional resonance, subtly conveying the sorrow of parting.
3. Deep Emotional Expression
   By blending real scenes with dreamlike elements, the poem effectively conveys the poet's internal world. The contrast between the warmth of the scenery and the chill of the departing wind mirrors the complex emotions of farewell—warmth in memories but coldness in reality.

Overall Appreciation

"Farewell to Wei Er" is a poignant poem that uses delicate descriptions and the blending of real and imagined elements to express the deep sorrow of separation. The first part of the poem builds an emotional atmosphere through vivid natural imagery, while the second part delves into the poet’s reflective thoughts and emotions, intensifying the sense of loss. The fusion of the real and imagined creates an expansive emotional landscape, making the poem both intricate and moving. Through this work, the poet showcases a profound understanding of the complexity of human emotions, capturing both the beauty and melancholy of parting.

Insights

The Complexity of Farewell
The poem also reveals the complexity of saying goodbye. While there is beauty in the scenery, there is an underlying sadness, symbolizing the contrast between the outer world and the inner emotional world. The poet teaches us that farewells are multifaceted, combining both beauty and sorrow.

Combining Reality and Imagination
The poem shows that when expressing complex emotions, blending the real and imagined can deepen the emotional impact. By expanding the emotional realm through imagination, the poet broadens the scope of feeling, allowing for a richer and more profound expression of sorrow.

The Power of Sensory Details
Descriptive imagery, particularly sensory details like smell, sound, and touch, can be used effectively to evoke emotion and create a vivid scene. This reminds us that emotion can be powerfully conveyed through the careful choice of descriptive elements.

Poem translator:

Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)

About the poet:

Wang Changling (王昌龄), circa A.D. 690 - 756, was a native of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. Wang Changling's poems were mostly about the Border Places, love affairs and farewells, and he was well known during his lifetime. His seven poems are equal to those of Li Bai, and he is known as the “Master of seven lines”.