Autumn Reflections - Bai Juyi
/秋思 - 白居易/
A Subtle Meditation on Longing Amid the Autumn Chill
Possible Text (Reconstructed)
秋思
空庭风露夜苍苍，
动我乡心万里长。
不似春时芳菲影，
偏添寥落在寒窗。
Autumn Reflections
In the empty courtyard, wind and dew cloak the night in dusky blue,
Stirring my homesick heart across a distance of endless miles.
Unlike the vivid splendor of spring’s blossoms,
Autumn’s desolation weighs heavier by my cold window.
While Bai Juyi is widely recognized for poems such as “Song of the Pipa” or “Selling Charcoal,” his repertoire also includes more intimate, shorter works reflecting on seasonal shifts and personal emotion. “Autumn Reflections” (秋思), as reconstructed here, captures the poet’s sensitivity to the passage of time and the evocative hush of autumn nights.
Central to the poem’s mood is a feeling of solitude: the imagery of an “empty courtyard” and “wind and dew” at night conjures a sense of cool loneliness, enhanced by autumn’s characteristic stillness. By contrasting this season’s muted tones with the vibrancy of spring, Bai Juyi underscores how autumn’s stark beauty can deepen feelings of longing or homesickness.
Such themes resonate throughout much of Bai Juyi’s work, as he often draws upon simple, accessible language to convey profound nostalgia or empathy. Though less overtly political than some of his social-critique poems, “Autumn Reflections” speaks to a universal human experience: how quiet evenings and shifting seasons can turn our thoughts toward distant places, lost opportunities, or cherished loved ones. Even in these few lines, Bai Juyi’s hallmark emerges: a gentle, contemplative spirit that elevates everyday scenes into meditations on life’s fleeting nature.
Key points
1. The poem juxtaposes autumn’s tranquility with the poet’s inward ache, creating a poignant sense of longing.
2. Bai Juyi’s style highlights accessible imagery, inviting readers into both natural scenery and emotional depth.
3. Even a brief work can reflect profound themes of nostalgia, solitude, and the passage of time.
4. Seasonal shifts often serve as mirrors for our inner landscapes, reminding us that nature’s quiet changes can amplify human sentiment.