Longing: The Bian River Flows
The Bian River flows,
The Si River flows,
Flowing to Guazhou’s ancient ferry landing;
Distant Wu hills dot the scene with sorrow.
Long thoughts stretch on,
Long heartache stretches on,
And only when the traveler returns will it cease;
In moonlight someone leans against the tower.
Notes
Chang Xiang Si is a lyric tune pattern. The Bian and Si are river names; Guazhou was an old ferry landing near present-day Yangzhou. Wu hills suggest hills south of the Yangtze. Yōuyōu means lingering or long; hèn here is the ache of separation.
Meaning
The rivers flow toward Guazhou as distant hills evoke sorrow. Longing continues until the absent person returns; under the moon, someone leans against a tower.
Appreciation
The lyric moves from flowing rivers and distant hills to longing, revealing a figure under the moon only at the end.
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The repeated word “flows” gives the rivers—and the feeling—a continuing rhythm. The dotted hills create distance.
Repeated “long” sounds extend the ache of waiting. The last line leaves the figure’s full story open.
Trace the rivers and hills with a hand and listen to the rhythm of repeated words.
About the poet
Bai Juyi (772–846), courtesy name Letian, was a Tang poet and official born near present-day Xinzheng, Henan.
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His works include Song of the Pipa Player, Song of Everlasting Sorrow and many poems about daily life.