Long Yearning (Part One) - Li Bai
/长相思(其一) - 李白/
A reflection on longing and heartbreak across the vast distance
长相思，在长安。
Long Yearning, in Chang'an.
络纬秋啼金井阑，
Cicadas cry in autumn near the golden well’s railing,
微霜凄凄簟色寒。
A light frost chills the bamboo mat with bleakness.
孤灯不明思欲绝，
A lonely lamp, its dim flame fueling endless longing,
卷帷望月空长叹。
I roll the curtain to gaze at the moon, sighing in vain.
美人如花隔云端！
My beloved is like a flower, separated as though beyond the clouds!
上有青冥之高天，
Above is the boundless, azure sky,
下有渌水之波澜。
Below the clear waters ripple in waves.
天长地远魂飞苦，
Heaven stretches far, and my soul suffers in flight,
梦魂不到关山难。
Dreams cannot pass the rugged frontiers.
长相思，摧心肝！
Long yearning tears at my heart!
Li Bai’s poem “Long Yearning (Part One)” encapsulates the deep ache of longing and the emotional strain of separation. Written in the style of a classical Chinese ci poem, it unites vivid imagery and emotive language to transport the reader into a realm where distance becomes an almost insurmountable barrier between loved ones.
The poem opens by setting a solitary autumnal scene in Chang’an, the historic capital, emphasizing the onset of cooler weather and the forlorn chirping of insects, which together mirror the poet’s inner melancholy. The dim lamp and the frost on the bamboo mat heighten the sense of isolation, while the speaker’s gaze toward the moon reflects both a yearning for connection and a resigned acceptance that the separation may not be easily bridged. The beloved figure, compared to a distant flower, appears unattainable, as though placed beyond the clouds.
Li Bai underscores the immense gulf between the lovers by evoking the boundlessness of the sky above and the flowing waters below. This cosmic imagery illustrates how the poet’s soul is cast adrift, unable to find solace or passage to the person who has captured his devotion. The lines about dreams failing to cross the rugged frontier reveal the extent of his heartache and the obstacles that stand between him and his beloved.
Ultimately, “Long Yearning (Part One)” demonstrates that love transcends physical distance while also accentuating the sorrow that arises when such a distance cannot be easily overcome. By pairing graceful language with an undercurrent of poignant emotion, Li Bai effectively conveys the universal nature of longing, making the poem resonate with readers regardless of time or place.
Key points
• Deep love and longing can unify hearts, even across great distances.
• Nature and cosmic imagery can heighten emotional resonance.
• Dreams may transcend borders in thought, but physical separations remain powerful obstacles.