酬乐天扬州初逢席上见赠 - 刘禹锡
A Reply to Bai Juyi at a Banquet in Yangzhou - Liu Yuxi
Sailing Beyond Sorrows into Spring
巴山楚水凄凉地，
In the desolate lands of Bashan and Chushui,
二十三年弃置身。
For twenty-three years, I have lived in neglect.
怀旧空吟闻笛赋，
Recalling old times, I chant in vain the “Hearing the Flute” poem.
到乡翻似烂柯人。
Returning home, I feel like the man who found his world changed after a chess game.
沉舟侧畔千帆过，
Beside a sunken boat, a thousand new sails pass.
病树前头万木春。
And before a withered tree, ten thousand trees bloom in spring.
今日听君歌一曲，
Today, I listen to your song,
暂凭杯酒长精神。
And rely on this cup of wine to renew my spirit.
In the desolate lands of Bashan and Chushui,
二十三年弃置身。
For twenty-three years, I have lived in neglect.
怀旧空吟闻笛赋，
Recalling old times, I chant in vain the “Hearing the Flute” poem.
到乡翻似烂柯人。
Returning home, I feel like the man who found his world changed after a chess game.
沉舟侧畔千帆过，
Beside a sunken boat, a thousand new sails pass.
病树前头万木春。
And before a withered tree, ten thousand trees bloom in spring.
今日听君歌一曲，
Today, I listen to your song,
暂凭杯酒长精神。
And rely on this cup of wine to renew my spirit.
This poem, “A Reply to Bai Juyi at a Banquet in Yangzhou,” was Liu Yuxi’s response to his longtime friend Bai Juyi—also known by his courtesy name, Letian—upon meeting in Yangzhou after years of separation. Liu Yuxi had experienced both political banishment and lengthy periods of demotion during the mid-Tang Dynasty, and these lines encapsulate his resilience and evolving outlook.
The opening couplet plunges us into a scene of lonely exile: Bashan and Chushui were remote, harsh regions where Liu Yuxi was sent, far from the bustling heart of Tang civilization. He points out that he has endured over two decades of neglect, hinting at the emotional toll of living away from the court and from old friends.
The middle lines shift to evoke memory and transformation. He references “闻笛赋” (Hearing the Flute), a classic poem by the Eastern Han scholar Cai Yong, to convey his wistful recollection of familiar tunes and lost days. The mention of returning home feeling like “the man who found his world changed after a chess game” alludes to a legend in which a man watches immortals play chess; by the time the game concludes, centuries have passed in the human realm. This conveys the startling gap between Liu Yuxi’s remembered life and the reality upon his return.
In the next pair of lines, Liu Yuxi masterfully turns from personal lament to uplift: “Beside a sunken boat, a thousand new sails pass” symbolizes renewal and forward motion—life continues, no matter one’s past setbacks. “Before a withered tree, ten thousand trees bloom in spring” expresses a parallel optimism. Even though one tree remains barren, countless others flourish, signifying boundless possibility in a changing world. These images underscore how, amid loss or decay, new growth abounds.
The concluding couplet brings us into the present moment of reunion and camaraderie. Liu Yuxi listens to Bai Juyi’s singing and allows the joy of that experience—and a shared cup of wine—to reinvigorate him. In Tang poetry, wine symbolizes more than mere indulgence: it often suggests fellowship, creative inspiration, and the opportunity to transcend hardship for at least a moment.
Overall, the poem epitomizes the Tang Dynasty’s poetic tradition of blending personal reflection, historical allusion, and vivid natural imagery. It serves as both a testament to Liu Yuxi’s steadfastness in adversity and a celebration of renewed friendship. The piece’s lasting appeal lies in its balanced tone: the poet does not deny past sufferings; rather, he chooses to focus on the hope and vitality that remain, even in life’s darker seasons. In so doing, he invites readers to share in his sense of optimism—reminding us that, just as spring follows winter, renewal can arise from hardship.
Key points
• Reflects Liu Yuxi’s resilience during long years of exile.
• Uses nature (sunken boats and blooming trees) to symbolize renewal.
• Balances nostalgia with optimism, highlighting the power of friendship.
• Shows how a single meeting or shared cup of wine can rekindle one’s spirit.
Comments
Epic Cyber VisionShort but powerful: the poem’s references to music and shared banquets remind me of Li Bai’s sociable verses, yet Liu Yuxi’s stance remains grounded in everyday delight rather than soaring ethereal imagery. Both celebrate friendship, but from different emotional angles—Li Bai leans toward rhapsodic flights, Liu Yuxi centers on cheerful directness.
Frozen EmberIn each line, we glimpse both the poet’s buoyant gratitude and his recognition that fleeting encounters can leave lasting warmth. This nuance parallels Bai Juyi’s ability to fuse personal joy with introspective thought, as if each shared cup of wine holds both cheer and reflection.
GoldenBladSometimes, it reminds me of how people attend big conferences or gatherings with no idea they’ll stumble upon old acquaintances. The poem’s exuberance at seeing a friend at a random banquet in Yangzhou parallels those modern serendipitous reunions. There's a sense that fate orchestrates these cheerful surprises even in our hyperconnected age.
Neon Urban FusionI find it intriguing how each verse draws on personal harmony, contrasting the heavier tone in Du Fu’s travel-worn poems. Where Du Fu laments hardships on the road, Liu Yuxi celebrates a spontaneous meeting, uplifting the traveler’s spirit rather than revealing struggle.
Calm Pink Owl NestIt’s almost like reading a modern text chain between two long-lost companions who reconnect after a decade, discovering that the spark of old camaraderie remains alive. The poem’s welcoming tone mirrors that sense of rediscovered kinship we often see today on social media, where people stumble across old friends and reignite lively conversation.
Bold Red SharkUltimately, it’s a testament to how unexpected connections can stir the deepest pleasures. This poem merges spontaneity and camaraderie into a bright, abiding moment that echoes even in our own era, whether in random coffee-shop meetings or online chats that spark instant nostalgia and open fresh pathways of friendship.
Neon FlashA short reflection: there's a burst of excitement behind each word, as if the poet can hardly contain his joy at this chance reunion. Compared to Liu Yuxi’s more sober lines in '乌衣巷'—where he mourns vanished splendor—this piece focuses on the bright side of life’s transitions: friendships enduring across distance and time.
Fierce Black WolfShort but vivid: you sense a gentle contest of wit and affection in every phrase, which calls to mind how, in Bai Juyi’s '琵琶行,' an unexpected encounter also turns into a reflection on shared experiences. Both poems revolve around creative connections that transcend the immediate scene.
Gentle PandaAt first glance, each line conveys a spontaneous rush of happiness, but beneath that shines a subtle reflection on time’s swift passage. It’s akin to hearing old friends banter lightly, aware of how life's twists separate and then reunite them in surprising ways.
AlphaCyborReading it feels like a gust of fresh wind—short yet resonant, each syllable brimming with friendly warmth.
Swift Black Cow DenA brief note: the poem resonates with a joyous undertone, as though Liu Yuxi wants to embrace old memories while forging new ones. It reminds me of how old classmates reunite at modern alumni events, bridging lost years with shared laughter and fresh stories—like the poet does with Bai Juyi in the poem’s lively exchange.
