Meeting Feng Zhu in Chang’an
A guest comes from the east,
With rain from Baling on his clothes.
I ask what brings him here:
To gather in the hills, he has come to buy an axe.
In the dimness flowers are opening;
Swallows flit about with newly hatched young.
We parted before, and now spring has returned;
How many strands of grey have appeared at our temples?
Notes
Feng Zhu is the poet’s friend. Baling lies east of Chang’an. Gathering in the hills is the reason given for buying an axe. The swallows have newly hatched young; strands at the temples suggest the passage of time.
Meaning
Meeting Feng Zhu in Chang’an, the poet moves from a brief exchange to spring flowers and swallows, then reflects on time since their parting.
Appreciation
Rain on the guest’s clothes carries evidence of his journey into the opening.
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The exchange about an axe gives a modest detail of his life.
Flowers and young swallows place the reunion in spring.
Returning spring and grey hairs make passing time visible.
About the poet
Wei Yingwu (c. 737–c. 792) was a Tang poet associated with the area of present-day Xi’an; accounts of his dates differ.
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He served in places including Chuzhou, Jiangzhou and Suzhou, and often wrote about landscape and daily life.
His works include West Stream at Chuzhou and An Autumn Night Sent to Qiu.