All willow-down has fallen and sad cuckoos cry
To hear you banished southwestward beyond Five Streams.
I would confide no sorrow to the moon on high
For it will follow you west of the Land of Dreams.
Original Poem:
「闻王昌龄左迁龙标遥有此寄」
李白
杨花落尽子规啼，闻道龙标过五溪。
我寄愁心与明月，随君直到夜郎西。
Interpretation:
This poem was written by Li Bai after he heard the news that Wang Changling had been demoted to Longbiao due to minor personal missteps. Wang Changling had served as the magistrate of Jiangning but was demoted for failing to protect his small conduct. Li Bai felt deep sympathy and concern for his friend, and thus wrote this poem to express his care and consolation.
Wang Changling's demotion was not for a grave crime, but rather for minor errors in his personal conduct, which deeply saddened Li Bai. In this context, Li Bai wrote this poem to express his strong feelings of missing and caring for his friend.
杨花落尽子规啼，闻道龙标过五溪。
The willow catkins have fallen, and the cuckoo cries, as I hear that Wang Changling has been demoted to Longbiao, passing through the desolate Five Rivers.
The poet uses the imagery of falling willow catkins and the crying cuckoo to create a melancholy atmosphere, reflecting the emotions of separation. This also sets the tone for the grief and regret expressed later in the poem.
我寄愁心与明月，随君直到夜郎西。
I entrust my sorrowful heart to the bright moon, hoping it will accompany you until it reaches the western lands of Yelang.
Li Bai uses the moon, a natural symbol, to convey his sorrow and comfort. The moon becomes a vessel for his emotions, connecting him with his distant friend. His sorrow follows the moon over thousands of miles, expressing a deep, heartfelt sentiment.
Literary Features
- Fusion of Scenery and Emotion
Li Bai skillfully blends natural scenery with his inner emotions. The willow catkins and cuckoo not only paint a picture of nature but also express the poet's inner sadness and sorrow over the separation. The use of scenery to evoke emotions makes the feelings more genuine and profound. - Concise Yet Expressive Language
The language in the poem is succinct yet powerful. The line "I entrust my sorrowful heart to the bright moon" conveys deep emotion without explicitly stating it. Li Bai’s ability to express complex emotions through concise language is what makes the poem impactful and relatable. - Personification Technique
In this poem, the moon is not merely a natural object but is personified as a companion that understands the poet’s emotions and is entrusted with delivering them. This personification strengthens the emotional resonance of the poem, giving the moon a role as a silent, empathetic messenger. - Strong Emotional Contrast
The first two lines create a sorrowful atmosphere through the imagery of nature, while the latter two lines shift to a hopeful sentiment, using the moon to convey the poet’s longing for Wang Changling. This contrast enhances the emotional depth of the poem, and the transition feels natural and smooth.
Overall Analysis
Through "Hearing of Wang Changling's Demotion to Longbiao, I Send This from Afar", Li Bai expresses his deep feelings of longing and concern for Wang Changling. The first lines set the scene with the imagery of falling willow catkins and the cuckoo’s cry, evoking the melancholy of late spring in the South, which sets the stage for the emotions that follow. The poet uses the mention of Wang Changling’s demotion and his journey through the desolate Five Rivers to highlight his grief and regret. While the sorrow is not directly stated, the imagery and symbolism create a natural expression of sadness.
In the second half of the poem, Li Bai uses the moon as a symbol to entrust his sorrow, expressing his wish that the moon carry his feelings across the distance to his distant friend. The moon is not just a natural element; it is a medium of emotion, linking the two friends despite the geographical separation.
The entire poem blends scenery and symbolism to make abstract feelings tangible, allowing the reader to feel the poet’s emotions. Li Bai not only conveys his longing for his friend but also reflects on the changing of fate and the uncertainty of life. This poem is not only a message of consolation for his friend but also a deep reflection on destiny.
Inspiration
This poem presents a unique way of expressing emotions through natural imagery, encouraging us to observe and connect with nature in order to express our own feelings and thoughts. By doing so, we can convey emotions in a more subtle and profound way, using nature as a bridge to communicate care and comfort. This approach allows us to connect more deeply with others, especially in times of separation or hardship, and to find resonance in the shared experience of life’s challenges.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong(许渊冲)
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.
