Analysis of "送萧三十一之鲁中兼问稚子伯禽" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "送萧三十一之鲁中兼问稚子伯禽" (Sòng Xiāo Sānshíyī Zhī Lǔ Zhōng Jiān Wèn Zhìzǐ Bóqín) was written by the renowned Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai (李白, 701–762), one of China's most celebrated literary figures. Known as the "Immortal Poet," Li Bai's works are characterized by their romanticism, vivid imagery, and emotional depth.

This poem is a farewell piece written for a friend, Xiao Thirty-One (likely a nickname or a reference to birth order), who was traveling to Lu (modern Shandong). It also inquires about Li Bai’s young son, Boqin, who lived there. The poem reflects themes of friendship, paternal love, and the melancholy of parting—a common motif in Tang poetry.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

送萧三十一之鲁中兼问稚子伯禽
Sòng Xiāo Sānshíyī zhī Lǔ zhōng jiān wèn Zhìzǐ Bóqín
Seeing Off Xiao Thirty-One to Lu, and Inquiring After My Young Son Boqin

夫子如何涉江路
Fūzǐ rúhé shè jiāng lù
How will you, my friend, cross the river’s long way?

云帆袅袅金陵去
Yún fān niǎoniǎo Jīnlíng qù
Your cloud-like sails drift toward Jinling, swaying light.

五月南风兴
Wǔ yuè nán fēng xīng
In the fifth month, southern winds rise,

思君下巴陵
Sī jūn xià Bālíng
I think of you descending Baling.

我家寄在沙丘傍
Wǒ jiā jì zài shāqiū bàng
My family stays by the dunes,

三年不归空断肠
Sān nián bù guī kōng duàncháng
Three years apart—my heart breaks in vain.

小儿名伯禽
Xiǎo ér míng Bóqín
My little son is named Boqin,

与姊亦齐肩
Yǔ zǐ yì qí jiān
Now as tall as his elder sister.

双行桃李下
Shuāng xíng táo lǐ xià
They walk beneath peach and plum trees,

抚背复谁怜
Fǔ bèi fù shuí lián
Who will pat their backs in comfort now?

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "How will you, my friend, cross the river’s long way?"
   - The opening line expresses concern for Xiao’s journey, emphasizing distance and uncertainty.

2. "Your cloud-like sails drift toward Jinling, swaying light."
   - The imagery of "cloud-like sails" suggests both the beauty and transience of travel.

3. "In the fifth month, southern winds rise, / I think of you descending Baling."
   - The seasonal reference (fifth month) grounds the poem in time, while "southern winds" evoke movement and change.

4. "My family stays by the dunes, / Three years apart—my heart breaks in vain."
   - Li Bai reveals his personal sorrow—his separation from his family, particularly his children.

5. "My little son is named Boqin, / Now as tall as his elder sister."
   - A tender observation of his son’s growth, tinged with regret for missing it.

6. "They walk beneath peach and plum trees, / Who will pat their backs in comfort now?"
   - The peach and plum trees symbolize youth and innocence. The rhetorical question underscores his helplessness as an absent father.

Themes and Symbolism

• Separation and Longing: The poem captures the pain of parting—both from a friend and from family.
• Parental Love: Li Bai’s inquiry about Boqin reveals deep paternal affection and guilt over his absence.
• Nature as a Reflection of Emotion: The "southern winds" and "peach and plum trees" mirror the poet’s inner turmoil and nostalgia.

Cultural Context

During the Tang Dynasty, farewell poems (送别诗, sòngbié shī) were a common literary form, often exchanged between friends and officials. Travel was arduous, and separations could last years, making such partings deeply emotional.

Li Bai himself lived a wandering life, often away from his family, which explains the personal grief in this poem. The reference to Boqin—his son with his second wife—adds a layer of intimate sorrow.

Conclusion

"送萧三十一之鲁中兼问稚子伯禽" is a poignant blend of friendship and familial love, showcasing Li Bai’s ability to weave personal emotion into universal themes. Its enduring appeal lies in its raw honesty—expressing the timeless human experiences of distance, longing, and the ache of missing a child’s growth.

Even today, readers resonate with its heartfelt simplicity, a reminder that across centuries and cultures, the bonds of love and separation remain deeply felt.