Climbing High - Du Fu
/登高 - 杜甫/
A Journey of Solitude and Reflection amid Autumn’s Sorrows
风急天高猿啸哀，
The wind is fierce, the sky is high, the gibbons wail with sorrow;
渚清沙白鸟飞回。
On the clear islet, white sands gleam, the circling birds return.
无边落木萧萧下，
Countless leaves drift down with a mournful rustle,
不尽长江滚滚来。
While the Yangtze River surges endlessly on.
万里悲秋常作客，
I wander far away, forever a guest, grieving the autumn,
百年多病独登台。
Worn by age and illness, I climb the terrace alone.
艰难苦恨繁霜鬓，
Hardship and sorrow have streaked my hair with frost,
潦倒新停浊酒杯。
Dejected, I set aside my brimming cup of cloudy wine.
Composed by Du Fu, one of the greatest poets of the Tang Dynasty, this poem offers a profoundly personal glimpse into the emotional toll of political upheaval, exile, and the relentless passage of time. Nature imagery abounds: swirling autumn leaves and the ceaseless flow of the Yangtze stand in stark contrast to the poet’s inner weariness. The fierce wind and mournful gibbons evoke both the physical intensity of the landscape and the poet’s deep sorrow. Du Fu’s sense of displacement—he is ever a wanderer—reflects the turmoil of an empire in crisis and his own personal hardships. Climbing a high terrace and beholding these sweeping scenes, the poet is acutely aware of his frailty, symbolized by his frosty hair and failing health. The cup of wine, once a symbol of revelry or solace, remains untouched, suggesting that neither time nor drink can fully ease his burden. Through concise language and vivid imagery, Du Fu bridges the enormity of the natural world with the quiet battles of the human spirit. His longing resonates across centuries, illustrating the universal struggles of aging, exile, and the search for meaning amid personal and societal strife. In doing so, he provides a moving testament to resilience and reflection that continues to captivate readers today.
Key points
• A vivid portrayal of autumn’s melancholy as a mirror of personal hardship.
• The immensity of nature contrasts with human vulnerability and exile.
• Enduring political and personal struggles shape the poet’s world-weariness.
• Reflective solitude in poetry can help illuminate life’s deeper truths.