茅屋为秋风所破歌 - 杜甫
Song of the Thatched Hut Destroyed by Autumn Wind - Du Fu
An Evocation of Hardship and a Vision of Shelter for All
八月秋高风怒号，
In the eighth month, autumn stands tall, the wind howls in rage;
卷我屋上三重茅。
It sweeps off the triple layers of thatch from my roof.
茅飞渡江洒江郊，
Reeds fly across the river, sprinkling beyond the town;
高者挂罥长林梢，
The high ones get caught on the treetop tips,
下者飘转沉塘坳。
The low ones whirl down, sinking into pools.
南村群童欺我老无力，
Boys from the southern village mock my feebleness,
忍能对面为盗贼。
With no shame they rob me face to face.
公然抱茅入竹去，
They openly carry off my thatch into the bamboo grove,
唇焦口燥呼不得。
My lips are parched, I cry out in vain.
归来倚杖自叹息，
Returning home, I lean on my staff in deep lament.
俄倾风定云墨色。
Soon the wind dies, and the clouds turn ashen gray.
秋天漠漠向昏黑，
Autumn sky grows dim toward dusk,
布衾多年冷似铁，
My worn quilt has long been cold as iron.
娇儿恶卧踏里裂。
My little child sleeps fitfully, kicking it to shreds.
床床屋漏无干处，
Every bed and corner leaks, no place is dry.
雨脚如麻未断绝。
The pounding rain falls like hemp, unending.
自经丧乱少睡眠，
Amid strife and chaos, I have slept but little.
长夜沾湿何由彻。
How can I pass the long, wet nights?
安得广厦千万间，
Oh, if only a grand shelter of ten thousand rooms could be built,
大庇天下寒士俱欢颜，
To give comfort to all the chilly souls beneath it,
风雨不动安如山！
So it stands unmoved by wind or rain, secure as a mountain!
呜呼，何时眼前突兀见此屋，
Alas! When shall such a house appear before my eyes?
吾庐独破受冻死亦足！
Though mine be destroyed, I'd endure the cold and die content!
Written during a period of great turmoil in the Tang Dynasty, this poem records Du Fu’s struggle when autumn winds ripped away the thatch of his humble dwelling. Though suffering from personal hardship, Du Fu’s empathy extends far beyond himself. He laments not just his own plight, but also the misery of all those who share in life’s uncertainties. By vividly portraying children who steal his thatch, the relentless wind, and the soaking rains, he emphasizes both natural forces and human failings that contribute to his misfortune.
Yet, amid these trials, Du Fu’s spirit remains fundamentally benevolent. He imagines a vast shelter—one capable of protecting everyone from the cold and storms. This dream serves as a profound moral statement, advocating communal care and compassion in a world often marked by chaos and indifference. The repeated images of wind and rain symbolize life’s adversity, while the poet’s call for a sturdy refuge suggests the need for hope and empathy.
Throughout the poem, Du Fu’s tone fuses personal sorrow with a deep sense of social responsibility. Although physically beaten down by wind and rain, he remains spiritually steadfast in his desire that all people find safety and comfort. His willingness to sacrifice his own comfort—and even his life—reflects a deep, altruistic conviction. The poem resonates across centuries, reminding us that true humaneness often emerges most clearly in times of shared suffering and communal need.
Key points
• Compassion arises most vividly in moments of personal hardship.
• The poem underscores society’s obligation to care for the vulnerable.
• Vivid imagery of wind and rain symbolizes the unpredictability of life.
• Du Fu’s altruistic vision offers timeless inspiration for empathy and unity.
Comments
Gritty GatorDu Fu’s poem reminds me of how entire communities come together after a big storm. We see the same resilience today in relief efforts during floods and wildfires, offering mutual support just like Du Fu hoped for when he expressed his wish to shelter the homeless and poor.
MirageBladI love how this poem extends beyond personal woe. When Du Fu wishes for a tall building to shelter all poor scholars, you can sense his selflessness. His compassion is so intense that he seems almost willing to trade his own comfort for the well-being of others. That universal empathy is what makes this piece timeless, as we still witness housing crises around the world and feel the call to help one another.
Brisk JaguarI find “茅屋为秋风所破歌” both heartbreaking and hopeful. The heartbreak is in seeing the poet’s fragile home destroyed, but the hope emerges in his dream of a grand shelter for all. It’s a bold expression of empathy that transcends centuries. In an era when we talk about social responsibility and empathy, Du Fu’s message seems strikingly modern. He’s not just lamenting misfortune; he’s using his suffering as a springboard for imagining a better world, underscoring how personal hardship can fuel collective compassion. It’s poetry that stands out because it urges readers to step beyond their own troubles and think of others, even when their own roof has been ripped away.
Silver TigerDu Fu’s empathy truly shines in this poem, highlighting his care for all under harsh conditions.
ViperStrikThe imagery of a raging autumn wind feels just as relevant today, reminding me of recent hurricanes that leave many homeless.
Gentle DoveThe stormy imagery captures the chaos of the poet’s situation. I can practically hear the wind tearing the straw from his roof. It’s a vivid reminder that we are often powerless against nature, yet our response can still be grounded in hope and unity.
Mighty Green LionCompared to Du Fu’s ‘春望,’ this poem contains a more direct portrayal of suffering at a personal level—losing one’s roof to a storm—and yet both poems share a deep concern for the well-being of the common people.
Cosmic WolfReading ‘茅屋为秋风所破歌,’ I’m struck by the vivid scene of Du Fu’s thatched roof being torn apart. The lines describing how the “eight-month autumn wind raged furiously” always give me chills. It’s more than just the destruction of a house—it’s about the vulnerability and suffering in an unstable world. There is both personal sorrow and a profound compassion for anyone experiencing hardship.
Radiant Pixel FusionEven though it speaks of a literal storm, Du Fu’s words also resonate with modern struggles like housing insecurity and natural disasters.
Epic Neon WaveThe poem showcases Du Fu’s big heart. Despite personal loss, he extends his dreams to encompass everyone, reflecting a deeply humane perspective.
Mystic Digital GlowIn times of global displacement and refugee crises, this poem’s call for shelter for everyone is profoundly touching.
Atomic RavenThis poem feels more like a plea for communal well-being than a simple complaint. Du Fu’s words remind me of current issues with affordable housing—his desire for a secure home for all resonates with the modern quest for universal living conditions that preserve human dignity. It’s an ancient text with a timeless message, one that still speaks to our collective conscience about compassion and the importance of community support.
Lunar TigerReflecting on Du Fu’s dream of a spacious haven for everyone, I’m reminded of the way we rally together online during crises. Even though we’re often separated by screens, there’s a collective energy akin to what Du Fu envisioned—a unity that breaks down barriers and offers shelter, at least metaphorically, for those in need.
