A Farewell in the Mountains
After seeing you off in the mountains,
At dusk I close my rustic gate.
When spring grass turns green again next year,
Will you, my friend, return?
Notes
The rustic gate is made of branches. “Royal descendant” is a literary form of address for the departing friend, rather than evidence that the person was royalty. Some versions read “year after year” instead of “next year.”
Meaning
After a farewell, the speaker closes the gate at dusk and wonders whether the friend will return when the grass grows green again.
Appreciation
The poem begins after the farewell, leaving the parting itself to the reader’s imagination.
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Closing the gate is an ordinary evening act that becomes quietly poignant after a friend has left.
The grass has a season to return, while the friend’s return remains uncertain.
The final question leaves the hope of reunion open.
About the poet
Wang Wei (c. 701–761), courtesy name Mojie, was a Tang poet, painter and official whose family originated near present-day Qixian, Shanxi.
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He served in government and spent time at Wangchuan; poems exchanged with Pei Di are well known.
His works also include Deer Enclosure and Seeing Yuan Er Off to Anxi.