Mooring at Guazhou
Between Jingkou and Guazhou lies one stretch of water;
Beyond, only a few ranges separate me from Zhongshan.
The spring wind has greened the southern bank again;
When will the bright moon light my journey home?
Notes
To moor is to stop a boat. Guazhou is on the northern bank of the Yangtze; Jingkou, in the area of present-day Zhenjiang, is across the river. Zhongshan is Purple Mountain in present-day Nanjing, where Wang Anshi had a home. Lǜ, “green,” describes the change spring brings to the riverbank; huán means to return.
Meaning
From Guazhou, the poet thinks of Jingkou across the river and of Zhongshan beyond the hills. Spring has returned to the southern bank, and he wonders when the moon will light his return.
Appreciation
From a boat at Guazhou, the poem travels in thought across the river and hills, then turns from spring scenery to the hope of returning home.
Read the full appreciationCollapse
The opening lines name places and distances. The poet’s gaze seems to cross the water toward Jingkou and continue toward Zhongshan.
Spring wind cannot itself be seen, but the green bank shows its arrival. The word “again” lets us feel the return of the season.
The final question to the moon leaves the time of return unanswered. A family can follow the poem’s journey from river to hills to moon.
About the poet
Wang Anshi (1021–1086), courtesy name Jiefu, was a Song-dynasty statesman and writer from the area of present-day Fuzhou, Jiangxi. He served as chancellor and is remembered for political reforms as well as poems such as New Year’s Day and Mooring at Guazhou.
Read about the poetCollapse
Life: Wang Anshi served in local government and later became chancellor under Emperor Shenzong, when he promoted reforms. In later life he lived near Zhongshan in Jiangning.
Works: His poems include New Year’s Day, Plum Blossoms and Mooring at Guazhou; he also wrote prose.
Sources
Poem and reading reference: Shicile · Poet biography reference · poems-db
Translation and explanations by Poetry Buds; review ongoing.