Recalling the Plum - Li Shangyin
/忆梅 - 李商隐/
A Gentle Reflection on Melancholy and Renewal
定定住天涯
Steadfast, you remain at the edge of the sky
依依向物华
As you gently face the blossoming world
寒梅最堪恨
Among the winter blossoms, the plum evokes the deepest sorrow
常作去年花
Ever reminiscent of last year’s flowers
In “Recalling the Plum,” Li Shangyin uses the plum blossom—symbolically cherished in Chinese culture for its resilience during cold winter months—to convey both melancholy and an enduring hope. The poet addresses the plum as if it were a steadfast companion at the far edges of the landscape. By placing it at the horizon (“天涯”), Li Shangyin evokes distance, emphasizing a longing for what is just beyond reach.
The gentle phrase “依依向物华” reveals how the plum appears to be turning toward the world’s flourishing beauty, as if welcoming the transition from winter to spring. Yet, there’s also an undercurrent of sadness. The line “寒梅最堪恨” suggests that, while the plum’s tenacity in winter is admired, it carries an air of sorrow—perhaps due to its appearance in the season’s final chill, or because its bloom anticipates renewal but cannot fully share in the warmth of spring.
By ending with “常作去年花,” Li Shangyin highlights the poem’s reflective tone. The plum blossom persists as a memory from the previous year, bridging past and present. This duality between fading and renewal mirrors the human condition: we cling to what has passed even as we look ahead to what is coming. Throughout his verses, Li Shangyin subtly explores the space between sorrow and hope, reminding readers that beauty found in adversity can inspire both fond remembrance and poignant regret.
Key points
1. Plum blossoms symbolize resilience, flourishing even in wintry chill.
2. The poem’s nuanced sadness reflects how new hope often mingles with old memories.
3. Li Shangyin’s imagery underscores the tension between longing for renewal and mourning what has passed.
4. By personifying the plum, the poet illustrates how nature can mirror complex human emotions.
