[Poem] A REPLY TO BAI JUYI AT A BANQUET IN YANGZHOU - A Glimpse of Hope from Past Hardships

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.