A Woman’s Lament
A young woman at home knows no sorrow;
On a spring day she dresses and climbs the painted tower.
Suddenly she sees the willow colors beside the road,
And regrets urging her husband to seek a noble title.
Notes
The speaker describes a young married woman who dresses and ascends a tower. The roadside willows prompt regret that her husband went away seeking a noble title, commonly understood in connection with military service. The opening has a textual variant.
Meaning
On a spring day a woman sees fresh willows and regrets that her husband has gone away seeking distinction.
Appreciation
A seemingly carefree spring scene turns toward regret when the woman sees the willows.
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The first two lines are composed; “suddenly” shifts the view toward the roadside.
The fresh willow color leads to a change in how she feels about her husband’s absence and ambition.
The poem leaves much of her history unstated, concentrating on one moment of realization.
About the poet
Wang Changling, courtesy name Shaobo, was a Tang poet known for seven-character quatrains on frontier life, farewells and friendship. His exact dates are disputed.
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Life: Wang served in official posts and spent time away from the capital; sources differ on his exact dates.
Works: Beyond the Frontier and Farewell to Xin Jian at Hibiscus Tower are among his best-known poems.