A Farewell at a Jinling Wine Shop
Wind blows willow blossom, filling the shop with fragrance;
A young woman presses wine and urges guests to taste it.
Friends from Jinling come to see me off;
Those leaving and those staying each drain a cup.
Please ask the river flowing east:
Which is longer, its waters or the feeling of parting?
Notes
Jinling is present-day Nanjing. A wine shop serves freshly pressed wine. “Urge guests” has a variant reading “call guests.” The east-flowing river becomes a measure for the length of feeling at parting.
Meaning
Friends gather in a wine shop for a farewell, and the speaker compares the feeling of parting with the east-flowing river.
Appreciation
Willow blossom and wine establish a lively gathering.
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Those leaving and staying drink together, making the farewell a shared event.
The question to the river gives an immeasurable feeling a concrete comparison.
The river’s continuing flow lets the sense of parting extend beyond the scene.
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.