In Early Spring, Addressed to Wang Hanyang - Li Bai
/早春寄王汉阳 - 李白/
Yearning for Friendship Beneath Spring's First Breeze
Original (Chinese)
庭前青草知時綠，
江上煙波識客情。
最是春風解送恨，
遙思故友遠天明。
Translation (English)
In the courtyard, the grass knows its moment to green,
On the river, misty waves reflect a traveler’s longing.
Only the spring breeze truly carries away my sorrow,
As I yearn for dear friends, a distant dawn awaits.
In this poem, Li Bai captures the essence of early spring as a time of renewal interwoven with longing for absent friends. The imagery of newly green grass in the courtyard illustrates how nature moves forward in its cycle, untroubled by human concerns. Meanwhile, the river’s misty waves symbolize the poet’s own feelings of separation, as if each ripple carries the weight of distant memories.
The spring breeze, which ushers away sorrow, serves as both a literal and metaphorical force of comfort. As the wind gently blows over the landscape, it also gently soothes the poet’s yearning, offering a subtle hope that distances can be bridged. The final line highlights Li Bai’s anticipation of reunion or relief, depicted as a distant dawn, signaling the promise of a future gathering or a brighter emotional state.
Throughout this piece, Li Bai weaves vivid scenes of nature into heartfelt reflections on friendship and nostalgia. By pairing serene spring imagery with personal yearning, he reminds us that the cycles of nature continue relentlessly, even as humans linger in moments of longing. Ultimately, the poem leaves readers with a sense of gentle optimism—where the winds of spring may renew not just the earth, but also the hope in each heart longing for companionship.
Key points
Li Bai’s poem evokes the beauty and promise of early spring while tenderly conveying the pang of absent companionship. It highlights how the natural world, especially the renewing energy of spring, can both mirror and assuage feelings of longing. Readers are reminded that the passage of seasons offers comfort and hope, suggesting a brighter reunion and the healing power of time.