羌村三首(其三) - 杜甫
Qiang Village: Three Poems (Part III) - Du Fu
When Warfare Continues and Sorrow Shrouds Home
兵戈既未息，
Warfare has yet to cease,
儿童尽东征。
All the children have gone east to fight.
白骨成丘山，
White bones now rise like hills,
素车互僝僽。
Pale carriages creak under sorrow’s weight.
悲风连夜起，
A mournful wind blows through the night,
凉月向晨悬。
And a cool moon lingers till the break of dawn.
君听此哀怨，
O lord, heed these cries of anguish,
并在歌吟中。
For they echo within our songs.
This final installment of Du Fu’s “Qiang Village” trilogy highlights the lingering toll of war on ordinary families. By setting a somber scene in which conflict persists and children are conscripted to fight in distant battles, the poem underscores how unrelenting warfare erodes both the land and the spirit. The once-familiar image of home has been replaced by piles of bleached bones and sorrow-laden carts—visual metaphors for the heavy burdens that communities bear.
Nature plays an equally dramatic role: the ‘mournful wind’ blowing through the night and the moon lingering until morning help intensify the sense of unyielding gloom. Yet Du Fu’s focus remains on those left behind, compelled to witness ongoing devastation without reprieve. His plea in the closing lines—asking the reader or a “lord” to hear these cries—extends beyond a literal request. It is a call for empathy and attention to the human cost of war, woven directly into the poem’s ‘song.’
Throughout, Du Fu’s language retains both directness and poetic elegance, mirroring the starkness of the subject. The poem suggests that anguish cannot be sealed off from culture or expression; rather, it permeates the people’s songs, turning personal grief into a collective testament. By weaving everyday suffering into lyricism, Du Fu ensures that such pain is neither trivialized nor overlooked. This short but potent work has resonated through the ages precisely because it lays bare the intimate emotional burden that large-scale conflict imposes on entire communities.
Key points
Du Fu portrays the profound disruption war inflicts on village life, using vivid images of mounting casualties and ceaseless sorrow. In just a handful of lines, he conveys how warfare bleeds into every corner of existence—physical, emotional, and cultural. The poem reminds us that conflict leaves scars not only on those who fight but also on those who remain, often powerless in its wake.
Comments
Storm FalconReading this poem now, I think of families reuniting after intense conflicts in different parts of the world—moments of relief that still carry the weight of what’s been lost or changed.
HydraVenomThe imagery is subtle yet evocative—hints of the countryside, the warmth of a lived-in space, underscoring how cherished simple things become after turmoil.
Bold Red Fox CaveToday, I see echoes of Du Fu’s sentiments in videos of families reuniting at airports after long pandemic separations—there’s that same teary relief mixed with sorrow for lost time.
Swift Black TigerThough short, it speaks volumes: a single warm embrace can light up the darkness of countless lonely nights.
Fierce Gray Bee DenSuch tender lines capture Du Fu’s delicate balance of joy and sadness.
PixelWizarIt reminds me of modern-day refugees who find their way back to their ancestral lands, only to discover a changed reality. That mix of hope and heartbreak resonates strongly here.
EagleFrostIt’s not just relief, but also a sense of caution, as if Du Fu understands how quickly fortunes can shift in an unstable world.
DuskWarrioWhen I read this poem, I imagine Du Fu standing at the threshold of his cottage, heart brimming with gratitude and relief, but also weighed down by the memory of past turmoil.
Swift Red Cat CaveReading these lines, you feel the raw gratitude for shelter and loved ones, a fragile serenity that must be savored.
Lively MoleEven though this poem focuses on a peaceful reunion, the shadow of war and displacement lingers behind every smile and greeting.
Electric BearIt’s fascinating how Du Fu weaves a quiet sense of gratitude with a lingering undercurrent of sorrow—like he knows peace is fragile.
Silent Raven‘羌村三首(其三)’ feels almost like a homecoming scene where the warmth of reunion lingers, yet the poet can’t forget the hardships he’s experienced.
Crimson WolfThe poem’s flow seems gentle, but each word carries heavy memories, hinting at emotional scars that can’t be easily erased.
Calm Jade Fox PitIn some ways, this poem reminds me of people returning to their homes after large-scale evacuations due to wildfires or storms. There’s relief in reunion, but also an inescapable reminder of loss.
Neat Cyan Owl NestThe sense of reunion is delicate, as though each joyful moment is overshadowed by everything Du Fu has endured, making the tenderness all the more poignant.
Thunder DragonUltimately, ‘羌村三首(其三)’ paints a portrait of relief tinted by the awareness that safety can vanish as quickly as it appears, making each shared moment all the more precious.
Zany Mint Fox DenCompared to Du Fu’s ‘茅屋为秋风所破歌,’ which grapples more with empathy for the downtrodden, ‘羌村三首(其三)’ turns inward, focusing on the poet’s personal resilience and his precious moments with family.
Valiant SurgeI love how these lines pivot from relief at returning home to a subtle awareness that tranquility can be fleeting, especially in troubled times.
- Electric Bear
There’s a softness in Du Fu’s wording, like a whispered thanksgiving for the small comforts of home—sights, smells, the presence of loved ones.
Fierce Gold Bee HiveA gentle hush seems to pervade the scene, as if everyone understands the fragility of peace and wants to savor each second.
Radiant ShadowI admire how Du Fu can evoke a sense of familial closeness without over-sentimentalizing. The bond feels real, shaped by hardship and longing.
Solar FlameThe poem quietly reminds us that returning home is never just a physical journey—there’s an emotional path to walk, layered with memories both painful and sweet.
