Drunken Gift to Magistrate Liu the 28th - Bai Juyi
/醉赠刘二十八使君 - 白居易/
A Stirring Tribute Woven from Wine and Shared Memories
一醉昏昏百感生
In one drunken haze, a hundred feelings arise
相逢不尽夜中情
We meet at night, yet cannot exhaust all we yearn to say
欹巾仰面眠仍起
My cap askew, I lie back and then rise again
时引离歌送酒行
From time to time, we offer toasts with parting songs
去年今日长沙去
On this day last year, I journeyed to Changsha
此夕何年旧县城
Tonight—who knows what year it truly is in the old county town?
梦中自叹为天子
In my dream, I lament my fate as if I were an emperor
却忆关山百万程
Yet I recall distant frontiers, a million miles away
In “Drunken Gift to Magistrate Liu the 28th,” Bai Juyi reflects on camaraderie, longing, and the weight of time—all mingled with wine’s intoxicating haze. The poem begins by highlighting how a simple gathering can spark a surge of emotions, especially when nightfall invites deeper confidences. Bai Juyi’s cap tipping and repeated rising hint at restlessness—both physical and spiritual—as he attempts to savor every moment yet grapples with fleeting hours.
The reference to a journey to Changsha underscores the poet’s sense of impermanence: he recalls a specific date and place from a year earlier, evoking nostalgia for past travels and connections. Even the mention of dreaming he is an emperor conveys an aspiration tinged with futility; power or grand titles do not vanquish inner doubts or a yearning for distant places. The closing image of “关山百万程” (countless leagues of mountains and passes) suggests that true reunion—or peace of mind—remains far away.
Bai Juyi’s honesty about longing and the uncertainty of time resonates across ages. Although this poem arises from a personal occasion—drinking with a friend who serves as a local official—it touches on universal themes: the delicate balance of friendship, remembrance, and the sense that life’s pivotal encounters too often slip by, leaving us wishing we could linger just a little longer. Through lyrical brevity and straightforward language, Bai Juyi invites readers to share in this moment of candid, wine-fueled introspection, revealing how even simple gatherings can shine light on the vast emotional distances we carry within.
Key points
1. Wine loosens both heart and tongue, prompting deep reflections on friendships and past journeys.
2. Nostalgia and the brevity of time echo powerfully through Bai Juyi’s direct language and simple imagery.
3. Even dreams of grandeur cannot quell an enduring sense of restless longing.
4. True companionship often surfaces in small, cherished moments—yet it can leave us craving more once the night fades.