Waiting for him alone
Where the river goes by,
She turns into a stone
Gazing with longing eye.
Original Poem:
「望夫石」
王建
望夫处，江悠悠。
化为石，不回头。
山头日日风复雨。
行人归来石应语。
Interpretation:
This is a poem made by Wang Jian when he lived in Wuchang according to the local legend as well as the stone statue of Wang Fu Shi. It is a lyrical poem based on the old folklore, which glorifies the steadfast love between husband and wife.
The first two lines: In the place where she waits for her husband, the river flows unceasingly. The woman turns to stone and never looks back.
Here there is a vast and continuous river, and on the bank of the river stands Wangfu Mountain, at the top of which stands a huge stone that looks like a woman's head gazing into the distance. Mountain, water, stone, static and dynamic, each reflecting the other. Then depicts the river running for thousands of years, the torrent, not only explains the background of the story, rendering a rich lyrical atmosphere, but also set off the image of Wangfushi stone, the stone stood quietly by the river to write live. As if it is a spiritual stone carving standing by the river, looking away, in thought, waiting.
The poet also used anthropomorphic techniques to specifically depict the image of Wangfushi. People have been materialized, turned into stone; stone and spiritual, the perfect, people and things together, feelings and scenery harmony. This not only graphically depicts the vivid image of the stone, but also portrays the long visit of the thinking woman, the depth of her longing, and the fidelity of her love to the fullest.
The last two lines: At the top of the mountain, the wind and rain alternate every day. If pedestrians can come back, then the stone should be able to talk.
The stone of Wangfushi does not move in the wind and rain, and is as firm as a rock. Year after year, day after day, night after night, it has long withstood the wind and rain, yet it has not changed its original intention and still stands on the riverbank. Here is written the image and character of the stone, said still thinking about the steadfastness of the woman. She went through all kinds of hardship, suffered the torment of lovesickness, still with the love of death, still looking forward to, waiting for the pedestrians in the distance.
Poet in the concluding line to put the pen away, made a romantic imagination. When her husband comes back, the stone standing by the river will certainly tell her love for her.
The whole poem portrays a touching image of ancient women and reveals their miserable fate. The poem contains rich content in its plainness and simplicity.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Wang Jian (王建) was a native of Xuchang, Henan Province, circa 766 - 830 AD. He was admitted as a scholar in 775 AD. He was poor all his life, so he had wider contact with the society and understood the people's situation. His lefu poems reflecting the reality are broad in subject matter and have a certain depth of thought.
