I read your book of poetry by the lamplight,
And finish it when oil burns low at dead of night.
Eyes sore, I blow the light out and sit in the dark;
The waves brought up by adverse wind beat on the bark.
Original Poem:
「舟中读元九诗」
白居易
把君诗卷灯前读，诗尽灯残天未明。
眼痛灭灯犹暗坐，逆风吹浪打船声。
Interpretation:
This poem was written in September 815 during Bai Juyi’s journey to assume his post as a Sima in Jiangzhou. Amidst political setbacks and personal struggles, Bai Juyi found solace in reading his close friend Yuan Zhen's poetry. Through the vivid depiction of reading by lamplight, the poem reflects his profound longing for his friend and his emotional response to his challenging circumstances.
First Line: "把君诗卷灯前读，诗尽灯残天未明。"
"I read your poetry scrolls by the lamplight; the poems are finished, the lamp is spent, yet dawn remains afar."
This line describes the poet immersing himself in Yuan Zhen's poetry by the dim light of a lamp. The extinguished lamp and the lingering night symbolize the slow passage of time and the poet's deep loneliness. It also conveys his deep admiration for the poetry and his bond with his friend.
Second Line: "眼痛灭灯犹暗坐，逆风吹浪打船声。"
"My eyes ache as the lamp goes out, yet I sit in the darkness, listening to the sound of waves hitting the boat in the headwind."
Here, the focus shifts from reading to introspection. The extinguished lamp and aching eyes emphasize the poet’s exhaustion and solitude, while the rhythmic sound of waves in the headwind mirrors the unrest in his heart. This sensory detail deepens the sense of isolation and helplessness.
Stylistic Features
- Emotion Through Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery—“lamplight,” “spent lamp,” and “waves hitting the boat”—to create a melancholic atmosphere, blending the poet's external surroundings with his inner emotional state.
- Progression of Emotion: The first line begins with the act of reading, transitioning to the poet’s introspection and solitude in the second line, creating a layered emotional narrative.
- Symbolism of the Lamp: The lamp, mentioned repeatedly, ties the poem together, symbolizing the fleeting comfort of Yuan Zhen’s poetry amidst the overwhelming darkness of Bai Juyi's reality.
Overall Appreciation
The poem, while seemingly simple, skillfully intertwines the act of reading and the poet's internal struggles. The imagery of a dying lamp, the relentless waves, and the endless night creates a vivid and poignant portrayal of solitude. At its core, the poem captures Bai Juyi’s longing for companionship and his struggle against despair. The final auditory detail of "waves hitting the boat in the headwind" brings the emotional climax, underscoring the poet’s unspoken grief and resilience.
Reflection
Through this poem, Bai Juyi demonstrates the power of literature as a refuge for the soul. His ability to convey profound emotions with restrained language offers a timeless lesson: the art of poetry lies in transforming personal experiences into universally resonant expressions.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Bai Juyi (白居易), 772-846 AD, was originally from Taiyuan, then moved to Weinan in Shaanxi. Bai Juyi was the most prolific poet of the Tang Dynasty, with poems in the categories of satirical oracles, idleness, sentimentality, and miscellaneous rhythms, and the most influential poet after Li Bai Du Fu.
