Encountering Feng Zhu in Chang'an - Wei Yingwu
/长安遇冯著 - 韦应物/
Reflections on a Serendipitous Meeting
长安遇冯著
Encountering Feng Zhu in Chang'an
客从东方来，
The traveler came from the East,
衣上灞陵雨。
With the rain of Ba-ling still upon his coat.
问客何为来？
I asked him, “What brings you here?”
采山因买斧。
He said he gathers from the mountains, so he came to buy an axe.
冯著归应久，
Feng Zhu must have long since returned,
应得太平无？
Have these times granted him peace?
城中且乐生，
In the city, life goes on with small joys,
君亦莫羁孤。
So may you, too, never wander alone.
In this succinct poem, Wei Yingwu paints a scene of chance encounter and thoughtful inquiry in the bustling capital of Chang'an. A traveler arrives bearing traces of rain from Ba-ling, immediately conjuring images of a weary wanderer who has covered great distances. The poet’s question—“What brings you here?”—sparks a conversation that reveals the traveler’s practical purpose: he seeks an axe for gathering resources in the mountains.
Yet beneath the poem’s everyday surface is a subtle emotional thread. Mentioning “Feng Zhu” suggests that old friends and acquaintances are scattered across the empire, each pursuing their own paths. The question “Have these times granted him peace?” reflects a gentle concern for well-being, underscoring the uncertainty that can accompany travel, separation, and the challenges of life under imperial rule.
Chang'an, once the magnificent heart of the Tang Dynasty, symbolizes cosmopolitan vitality, while the act of wandering speaks to the larger human quest for belonging and purpose. The lines “In the city, life goes on with small joys” and “So may you never wander alone” combine to emphasize that even in a grand, thriving capital, it is human connections—and not merely riches or renown—that truly sustain the spirit.
Ultimately, the poem’s brevity heightens its resonance, leaving readers to ponder how simple encounters can spark reflections on friendship, home, and the comfort of shared humanity.
Key points
• Small encounters often carry profound meaning.
• In life’s journeys, concern for distant friends remains a source of comfort.
• Even a bustling city can be lonely—true solace emerges through human warmth and connection.
