春雨 - 李商隐
Spring Rain - Li Shangyin
A Reflection on Fleeting Longing Beneath Springtime Showers
怅卧新春白袷衣
In this newborn spring, I lie listless in a white robe
白门寥落意多违
Behind the pale gates, emptiness looms, and cherished hopes go unfulfilled
红楼隔雨相望冷
A red mansion stands beyond the rain, cold and forlorn to my distant gaze
珠箔飘灯独自归
Beaded curtains flutter by lamplight as I return alone
远路应悲春晼晚
One traveling afar must lament spring’s fading twilight
残宵犹得梦依稀
In the lingering night, I find only faint dreams
玉珰缄札何由达
Sealed jade tokens and letters—how can they ever reach their destination?
万里云罗一雁飞
A single wild goose crosses boundless skies and clouds
“Spring Rain” by Li Shangyin depicts a mood of wistfulness set against the quiet melancholy of a freshly arrived spring. The poet begins by describing his own state—lying in a white robe, disheartened, while the world around him feels deserted and subdued. This stark setting reinforces a sense of emotional and physical isolation. He then introduces the poignant image of a red mansion glimpsed through the spring rain, separated from him both by physical distance and by the cool veil of weather, heightening the feeling of longing.
As the poem progresses, Li Shangyin reflects on the inexorable flow of time: the twilight of spring alludes to how swiftly the season—and by extension, life—can slip away, leaving only intangible dreams. He contrasts this impermanence with tangible symbols of connection: sealed jade tokens, meant to convey intimacy or message, but seemingly impossible to deliver. In the final couplet, a solitary goose traverses a vast expanse of sky, underscoring the poet’s yearning for any sign of connection amid overwhelming distance.
Throughout the poem, Li Shangyin’s language weaves together the natural world, emotional states, and the ephemeral passage of time—one of his trademark styles. The gentle rain of spring might typically signify renewal, yet here it highlights the poet’s underlying sorrow, reminding us that even hopeful seasons can carry the weight of longing. By blending personal emotion with the broader context of nature, Li Shangyin invites readers to share in his bittersweet introspection. The poem ultimately resonates with anyone who has felt that powerful mixture of hope and regret, signifying how the most delicate changes in season can amplify human yearning and nostalgia.
Key points
1. Spring, often associated with renewal, can paradoxically heighten feelings of isolation and melancholy.
2. Physical distance and emotional longing merge through vivid imagery like the distant mansion and solitary goose.
3. Li Shangyin’s poetic style fuses personal emotions with nature’s subtle transformations, reflecting the universality of human yearning.
Comments
Atomic RavenThis poem reminds me that even in a bustling, modern world, a moment of quiet rain can carry us away from daily clamor into a place of calm reflection.
Primal SparkShort, but with a distinct tenderness—like a quiet sigh that somehow holds a whole season’s worth of hopes.
LaserKnighSometimes I think of how we rush through daily life, overlooking little wonders like the soothing patter of rain on a rooftop. This poem urges me to slow down.
HorizonDawLi Shangyin’s “春雨” captures the delicate hush of a rainy spring dawn.
Cosmic LionI love the subtle sense of hope woven throughout: each raindrop symbolizes nature’s gentle persistence, reminding us that renewal can happen even when we barely notice.
Crimson DragonI’m struck by Li Shangyin’s ability to make the simplest moment—rain in spring—feel profound. It’s a testament to the power of observation in poetry.
Thunder LionCompared to Du Fu’s rain-themed poems, “春雨” has a more intimate, reflective tone—it’s like Li Shangyin is listening to the rain inside his own heart.
Fierce Gray Bee DenHis words evoke a tranquil morning scene, where each drop of rain feels like a promise of renewal, quietly nurturing the earth.
FrostByteXReading this poem now, I’m reminded of the sudden spring showers we see during global climate shifts—gentle but unpredictably intense.
Noble Black EagleThe way he describes the raindrops feels almost ethereal, as if each drop is a fragile world of possibility falling from the sky.
Fierce Black HawkThinking of nowaday incidents, the poem’s sense of delicate transformation resonates with how people often emerge from tough times with newfound resilience, much like fresh blooms after rain.
Cobalt RocketIt makes me recall how, in our modern urban setting, a spring rain can be both a mild inconvenience and a strangely comforting backdrop to daily life.
Dynamic HyenaThere’s a hushed elegance in these lines, painting the morning light filtered through soft drizzle—an image that lingers in my mind.
Vivid VoltageIn just a few lines, you sense both the optimism and slight melancholy that often accompany spring’s early days.
