Seeing Wang Shiyi Off on His Southern Journey
I watch you depart across wide, misty waters;
Waving, I wet my handkerchief with tears.
Where has the flying bird vanished?
Only green hills face the one left behind.
One sail moves far along the Yangtze;
Sunset falls on the spring of the Five Lakes.
Who will see, upon the waterside islet,
My longing and sorrow among the white water plants?
Notes
Wang Shiyi is a friend named Wang, with eleven indicating family seniority. The Five Lakes is a traditional designation for lakes in the Jiangnan region, with differing exact identifications. Tingzhou is a waterside islet; white water plants frame the closing image.
Meaning
Waving farewell to a friend travelling south, the poet watches a bird and distant sail and imagines longing beside the water.
Appreciation
Mist, water, waving and tears establish the farewell.
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The vanished bird leaves green hills before the watcher.
A distant sail, river, sunset and spring lakes imagine the friend’s route.
The waterside plants bring longing back to a small, concrete setting.
About the poet
Liu Changqing, courtesy name Wenfang, was a Tang poet who served as prefect of Suizhou. His dates and place of origin are uncertain.
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He held offices in several places and experienced exile; landscapes, partings and journeys appear in his work.
His poems include Seeing Off Master Lingche and Staying with the Master of Furong Mountain in Snow.