Farewell: Poem Two
Deep feeling somehow seems like indifference;
Before the wine cup, even a smile will not come.
The candle too has a heart that regrets parting,
And sheds tears for us until dawn.
Notes
A zun is a wine vessel. The candle’s “heart” refers both to its wick and, figuratively, to feeling; the melted wax is imagined as tears shed at parting.
Meaning
At a parting, deep feeling is hard to express. The candle is imagined as sharing the sorrow and shedding tears until dawn.
Appreciation
The poem moves from feelings that resist expression to a candle that seems to share them.
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The contrast between deep feeling and apparent indifference captures the silence of parting.
A candlewick becomes a figurative heart; melted wax becomes tears shed for the people.
The movement from the wine cup to dawn suggests a long night without recounting every moment.
About the poet
Du Mu (803–852), courtesy name Muzhi, was a Tang poet and official from the area of present-day Xi’an. His works include Mountain Journey, Spring in Jiangnan and the prose-poem Efang Palace.
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Life: Du Mu held posts in the Yangzhou area and later served in regional offices, including Huangzhou and Chizhou.
Works: Alongside Qingming, his well-known writing includes Mountain Journey, Spring in Jiangnan and Efang Palace.