[Poem] UNTITLED (MEETING IS HARD, PARTING IS ALSO HARD) - An Evocative Exploration of Love, Loss, and Time

Li Shangyin’s poem “Untitled (Meeting Is Hard, Parting Is Also Hard)” captures the complexity of human emotion when love and distance intertwine. The opening lines highlight the pain of both reunion and separation—two states that should be opposites yet share a common thread of longing. This sense of duality runs throughout the poem: The weak east wind contrasts with the once-vibrant blossoms, underscoring how fleeting beauty can be.

The middle lines offer vivid metaphors to illustrate commitment and sacrifice: the spring silkworm spins silk until it dies, and the candle’s tears only cease once it is consumed. These images imply that love, like creativity, often requires giving of oneself wholly, even to the point of self-diminishment. The references to dawn mirrors and moonlit nights reflect the passage of time, underscoring how aging and introspection can intensify personal longing.

Finally, the mention of Mount Peng and the “diligent bluebird” speaks to the faint hope of connection and the wish for a messenger—whether real or metaphorical—to bridge the distance. This ending is neither purely optimistic nor entirely sorrowful; rather, it holds out the possibility of resolution while recognizing that separation and uncertainty remain central to the human condition.

Overall, Li Shangyin’s poem is a meditation on the yearning that arises from love challenged by obstacles and the inevitable erosion of life’s fleeting joys. Through the balance of delicate imagery and profound emotion, he conveys a universal experience of longing that transcends time and place.