[Poem] YOUTHFUL TRAVEL (ON THE ANCIENT ROAD TO CHANG'AN, THE HORSE MOVES SLOWLY) - A poetic journey reflecting on fleeting youth and the passage of time in ancient Chang'an.

Introduction to the Poem

"少年游(长安古道马迟迟)", translated as "Youthful Journey (On the Ancient Road to Chang'an)", is a poignant poem by Liu Yong, an esteemed poet from the Song Dynasty. This piece encapsulates themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and existential reflection, set against the backdrop of the ancient capital city, Chang'an.

Line-by-Line Explanation

长安古道马迟迟，高柳乱蝉嘶。

The opening lines paint a vivid picture of the speaker's journey on horseback along the ancient road leading to Chang'an. The phrase 长安古道马迟迟 ("Chang'an's ancient road, the horse moves slowly") suggests a deliberate pace, possibly indicating the speaker's reluctance or contemplative state. The imagery of 高柳乱蝉嘶 ("tall willows with cicadas chirping chaotically") adds an auditory layer to the scene, evoking a sense of late summer or early autumn, when cicadas are most active. This juxtaposition of visual and auditory elements creates a rich sensory experience that sets the tone for the poem.

夕阳鸟外，秋风原上，目断四天垂。

In these lines, the setting shifts to the horizon where the sun is setting beyond the birds in flight, suggesting the approach of evening. The phrase 夕阳鸟外 ("the setting sun beyond the birds") imbues the scene with a sense of finality and transience. The mention of 秋风原上 ("autumn wind over the plains") reinforces the seasonal context, adding a layer of melancholy associated with autumn's decay. The line concludes with 目断四天垂 ("gazing until the four horizons drop"), which conveys the speaker's longing gaze stretching out to the distant edges of the visible world, perhaps searching for something lost or unattainable.

归云一去无踪迹，何处是前期？

Here, the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of time and promises. The image of clouds drifting away without a trace (归云一去无踪迹) serves as a metaphor for past commitments or aspirations that have vanished. The rhetorical question 何处是前期？ ("Where are the plans made in earlier times?") expresses the speaker's sense of disorientation and loss, highlighting the gap between youthful ambitions and present realities.

狎兴生疏，酒徒萧索，不似少年时。

The concluding lines delve into the theme of change over time. 狎兴生疏 ("familiar pleasures now feel estranged") suggests that the joys and indulgences once enjoyed have lost their appeal or meaning. The phrase 酒徒萧索 ("companions in drink are desolate") indicates a sense of isolation or estrangement from former friends or social circles. Finally, 不似少年时 ("not like in one’s youth") underscores the central theme of the poem: the inevitable passage of time and the resulting transformation of one's experiences and perceptions.

Themes and Symbolism

Nostalgia and the Passage of Time: The poem is steeped in nostalgia, as the speaker reminisces about the past while grappling with the present. The contrast between the vibrant energy of youth and the somber reflections of adulthood is a recurring motif.

Nature as a Reflection of Inner States: Liu Yong masterfully uses natural imagery—such as the setting sun, autumn wind, and drifting clouds—to mirror the speaker's internal emotional landscape. These elements serve both as literal descriptions of the environment and as metaphors for the transient nature of life and human endeavors.

Existential Reflection: The rhetorical questioning and expressions of loss point to deeper existential concerns. The speaker contemplates the impermanence of human achievements and relationships, reflecting on what remains after the passage of time erases the traces of one's earlier life.

Conclusion

Liu Yong's "少年游(长安古道马迟迟)" is a masterful exploration of time, memory, and change. Through its evocative imagery and reflective tone, the poem captures the universal experience of looking back on one's life with a mixture of longing and acceptance. It invites readers to consider their own journeys and the ways in which time shapes our understanding of the world and ourselves.