Seeing Meng Haoran Off at Yellow Crane Tower
My old friend leaves Yellow Crane Tower in the west;
In the blossoms of the third month he travels down to Yangzhou.
His lone sail fades into the blue distance;
Only the Yangtze flows toward the horizon.
Notes
Meng Haoran was a Tang poet and friend of Li Bai. Guangling is an old name for Yangzhou; Yellow Crane Tower is in the Wuhan area. “Flowers and haze” evokes the spring scenery of the third lunar month, not fireworks. The journey follows the river downstream.
Meaning
A friend leaves Yellow Crane Tower for Yangzhou in spring. His sail recedes until the speaker sees only the Yangtze flowing into the distance.
Appreciation
The poem follows a farewell by the river, from the friend’s departure until the sail disappears.
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The opening gives the place, spring season and destination, setting the farewell in a bright, broad landscape.
Rather than naming the speaker’s feelings, the poem watches the sail grow distant. When it vanishes, the river continues toward the horizon.
Move a finger slowly away to imagine the boat disappearing, and think of a wish to give a departing friend.
About the poet
Li Bai (c. 701–762), courtesy name Taibai, was a Tang poet whose travels inspired many poems about landscapes, friendship and journeys.
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Life: Li Bai grew up in the Shu region and traveled widely. He was summoned to serve at the Tang court before continuing his journeys.
Works: His poems include Thoughts on a Quiet Night, Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lu and To Wang Lun.
Sources
Poem and reading reference: Shicile · Poet biography reference · poems-db
Translation and explanations by Poetry Buds; review ongoing.