Meeting an Old Friend from Liangchuan on the Huai River - Wei Yingwu
/淮上喜会梁川故人 - 韦应物/
A Joyful Reunion Beside Autumn Waters
淮上喜会梁川故人
Meeting an Old Friend from Liangchuan on the Huai River
江汉曾为客，
I once traveled along the Yangtze and Han Rivers as a wandering guest,
相逢每醉还。
Each time we met, we drank heartily and returned home in high spirits.
浮云一别后，
Like drifting clouds, we parted,
流水十年间。
While the flowing water marked ten swift years passing by.
欢笑情如旧，
Even now, our laughter and affection feel just as before,
萧疏鬓已斑。
Though our hair has turned sparse and flecked with gray.
何因不归去？
Why do we not return home?
淮上对秋山。
Here by the Huai River, we gaze upon the autumn hills.
In this reflective poem by Wei Yingwu, two long-separated friends unexpectedly cross paths by the Huai River. Memories of previous gatherings resurface as they recall journeys along the Yangtze and Han Rivers, and the drunken camaraderie that once brought them joy. Ten fleeting years have passed, represented by the continuous flow of water and the image of drifting clouds that stand for impermanence. Though time has touched them both—most visibly in their graying hair—their friendship remains strong and familiar. The closing lines emphasize the tranquil beauty of autumn hills along the Huai River, suggesting that simple moments of reunion can breathe renewed warmth into old bonds. By contrasting the inevitable passage of time with the enduring power of companionship, the poem reminds readers to cherish the present while embracing the bittersweet memories of the past.
Key points
True friendship is timeless. Even as the years slip by, shared memories and the joy of reunion offer comfort and renewed connection.