Analysis of "送二季之江东" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"送二季之江东" (Sòng Èr Jì Zhī Jiāng Dōng, "Seeing Off the Two Ji Brothers to the East of the River") is a farewell poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai (李白, 701–762), one of China's most celebrated literary figures. Known as the "Immortal Poet," Li Bai was renowned for his romantic, free-spirited style and vivid imagery.

This poem captures the bittersweet emotions of parting with friends, a common theme in classical Chinese poetry. It reflects the deep cultural importance of friendship, loyalty, and the transient nature of human connections—a sentiment that resonates across time and cultures.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

杨花落尽子规啼
Yáng huā luò jǐn zǐ guī tí
The willow blossoms have all fallen, the cuckoo cries,

闻道龙标过五溪
Wén dào lóng biāo guò wǔ xī
I hear you’ve passed the Five Streams, bound for Longbiao.

我寄愁心与明月
Wǒ jì chóu xīn yǔ míng yuè
I send my sorrow-laden heart to the bright moon,

随君直到夜郎西
Suí jūn zhí dào yè láng xī
To follow you all the way west of Yelang.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "The willow blossoms have all fallen, the cuckoo cries"
   - Willow blossoms (杨花) symbolize parting in Chinese culture, as the word for willow (liǔ) sounds like "to stay" (留).
   - The cuckoo's cry is a melancholic motif, often associated with longing and sorrow.

2. "I hear you’ve passed the Five Streams, bound for Longbiao"
   - The Five Streams and Longbiao are distant, remote regions, emphasizing the vast separation between the poet and his friends.

3. "I send my sorrow-laden heart to the bright moon"
   - The moon is a frequent symbol in Li Bai’s poetry, representing constancy and emotional connection across distances.

4. "To follow you all the way west of Yelang"
   - Yelang was a far-flung frontier region, underscoring the hardship of the journey and the depth of the poet’s emotional bond.

Themes and Symbolism

• Friendship and Separation – The poem conveys deep attachment and the pain of farewell, a recurring theme in Tang poetry.
• Nature as Emotional Mirror – The falling blossoms and cuckoo’s cry mirror the poet’s sadness.
• Transcending Distance – The moon acts as a bridge between separated friends, symbolizing enduring connection.

Cultural Context

During the Tang Dynasty (618–907), parting poems (送别诗) were a major literary tradition. Scholars and officials often traveled far for work, making farewells emotionally charged. Li Bai’s poem reflects Confucian values of loyalty and friendship, as well as Daoist influences in its harmony with nature.

Conclusion

"送二季之江东" is a masterpiece of emotional depth and lyrical beauty. Its universal themes of separation and enduring bonds make it timeless. Even today, readers can relate to the poet’s longing and the solace found in nature’s constancy. Li Bai’s ability to convey profound feelings in just four lines is a testament to the power of classical Chinese poetry.

Would you like recommendations for similar poems by Li Bai or other Tang poets? Let me know in the comments!